Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has a new partner in crime in the frontcourt this year.
The Sixers signed veteran big man Dwight Howard away from the Los Angeles Lakers after Howard played an integral role in L.A.'s championship frontcourt.
Embiid said Friday he is excited to have a “Hall of Fame” player like Howard to learn from this season. While the three-time All-Star acknowledged their games are different, Embiid still feels he can glean things from Howard:
Embiid sees the value of having Dwight Howard with him this year. “I’ve never had a Hall of Fame [big man] coach or player around me.” Believes even though their games are different he can pick his brain as a guy who has been there and done it before.
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) December 4, 2020
Joel Embiid knows Dwight has been through it all in his career.
The former Orlando Magic was once considered the best center in the league. Howard was a dominating force who controlled the paint and routinely swatted shots at the rim. His size and athleticism made him unlike any other player in the league.
But the three-time Defensive Player of the Year's reputation would start taking hits in his final season in Orlando and pretty much everywhere else along the way. Howard failed to jell with Kobe Bryant in his first stint L.A., and later he was considered something of a disruptor in the locker room in Atlanta and Charlotte.
Yet, the 34-year-old swallowed his pride and took on a new role with the Lakers. He earned his first championship ring in the process, giving L.A. interior defense and a rim-runner capable of finishing at the basket.
Now, Howard prepares for his next journey as one of the veteran leaders on a Sixers club desperate to get to the next level.
For his part, Joel Embiid is already one of the best bigs in basketball. But he seems to believe Howard will bring valuable intangibles to the table.
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