In just his second season in the NBA, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has garnered much praise from his peers. Take Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant, who believes that Embiid will grab control of the league once his career is wrapped up, per Alec Nathan of Bleacher Report.
“He can hit the three. He can dribble. He developed his skills over time, and he wants it,” Durant told reporters following Saturday's All-Star Game practice in Los Angeles. “He's a great player, he's definitely a guy you respect and is going to take over this league once I'm done.”
Embiid has developed into one of the premier players in the league that has shown to be an effective player on both ends. He has a versatile offensive skill set with his shooting range stretching out to beyond the 3-point line. Meanwhile, he has a laundry list of moves in the low post that has drawn some comparison to Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. On top of that, Embiid is a premier defender as an elite rim protector along with being able to guard multiple positions if necessary.
The 23-year-old has put up huge numbers in the process, averaging 23.7 points with 11.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. His 20 performances this season with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds has made him one of six players alongside DeMarcus Cousins (28), Anthony Davis (28), Karl-Anthony Towns (27), Giannis Antetokounmpo (24), and Russell Westbrook (20) to do such feat.
The only question mark that has surrounded Embiid has been his ability to stay healthy. He has struggled with his health as he missed the first two years of his career due to a pair of foot surgeries. This has continued to persist even when has returned to the court as last year was cut short after 31 games played due to a torn meniscus in his left knee.
If he can prove that he is past the injury bug, Embiid will be on the fast track to stardom that could see him experience an abundance of individual and team success over the next decade.
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