In a time when NBA teams are embracing small ball, Joel Embiid is one of many players trying to keep the center position alive. Despite only playing 31 games in three seasons where he averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, the Sixers signed him to a five-year, $148 million contract extension.

As Embiid hopes to remain relatively healthy, he finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds in the 2017-18 NBA season opener against the Washington Wizards. According to Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report, Jerryd Bayless says the best comparison to his teammate may be Shaquille O'Neal:

Article Continues Below
More Philadelphia 76ers News
Philadelphia 76ers guard Eric Gordon (23) drives against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
76ers’ 2 important contract decisions amid free agency crunchMalik Brown ·
Featured image Kelly Oubre Jr
76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. makes $8.4 million contract decision ahead of free agencyDylan Fine ·
76ers' Guerschon Yabusele surrounded by money
Ascending Western Conference squad named Guerschon Yabusele suitorAbdullah Imran ·
VJ Edgecombe and Johni Broome on the 76ers court
Philadelphia 76ers 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickMatty Breisch ·
Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (19) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
76ers sign breakout bench piece to 3-year contract extensionAbdullah Imran ·
Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) drives to the basket around Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin Overton (1) during the second half at T-Mobile Center.
VJ Edgecombe gets touching gesture from 76ers Daryl MoreyMatty Breisch ·

“No, I’ve never seen anything like that, I don’t think any of us have,” Philadelphia guard Jerryd Bayless told Bleacher Report. “Not only is he special on the court, he’s a…I don’t even know what to call him, what the word is.

“I guess the best comparison I can think of is Shaq.”

While Embiid has only appeared in 32 games in his career, there is no denying his talent on and off the court. Along with dominating teams in the small ball era, he is as good as it gets on social media.

After years of rebuilding, the Sixers have established a young and exciting roster that is trying to make the playoffs in the weakened Eastern Conference. While all the attention is on Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz made their NBA debuts.