The role of the traditional center has all but fallen by the wayside in the NBA. Nowadays, teams are looking for an athletic 5 who can stretch the floor and defend in the post. This might sound like a tall order for some players, but Sixers All-Star Joel Embiid thinks he is the best in the business.
Embiid, now 24 years of age, recently sat down with Michael Lee of The Athletic for a wide-ranging interview. Amid their discussion, the Cameroonian national expressed the utmost confidence in his game:
Article Continues Below“Last year, I felt like I got to the point of being a top 10 NBA player and this year, with the start that I had, I feel like from what’s happening right now, yes, four or fives, I am the best big man in the league,” Embiid said, “but that’s not something I’m worried about. I’m worried about winning games, taking my team to The Finals, compete for that title and being the best player in the league, which I feel like I’m close to it.”
To be fair, Embiid is one of the best big men in today's NBA, especially on the defensive end of the floor. And furthermore, there is nothing wrong with having bit of conviction.
In his 12 appearances with the Sixers this season, Embiid has racked up averages of 27.7 points on 48.5 percent shooting from the field (29.4 percent from beyond the arc), 12.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 blocks in 34.3 minutes per outing.
Joel Embiid and the Sixers (7-5 and third in the Atlantic Division) will be back in action on Friday night, when they'll welcome the Charlotte Hornets to the Wells Fargo Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET with NBA TV having live broadcast coverage.