Joel Embiid keeps expanding ceiling and range

By Staff     Dec 27, 2016

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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid celebrates after scoring against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, in Miami. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

I remember Joel Embiid standing up from his seat on the bench hours before tip time and burying a few shots in a row from out of bounds.

As amazing as that was to witness, it’s even more remarkable to consider what the 7-foot-2 rookie center for the Philadelphia 76ers is doing from long distance in the NBA during games.

Embiid not only is averaging 18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots in 24.7 minutes per game, he’s making 40.3 percent of his 3-point attempts. And it’s not a case of limited data throwing the numbers out of whack. Embiid is 25 of 62.

The distance for the NBA 3-point arc is 23 feet, 9 inches, compared to 22-2 for international competition and 20-9 in the NCAA.

Embiid still has plenty of rough edges to smooth out, such as how to play sound defense instead of going for a blocked shot every time. Obviously, if he had it all figured out, the Sixers (7-23 heading into today’s 9:30 p.m. tipoff at Sacramento) would not have the NBA’s worst record, even with Embiid unavailable to play in back-to-back games as a precautionary measure to protect his foot.

But Embiid brings such a rare blend of size, speed, fluidity and guard skills that if he stays healthy, by the time he gains the wisdom that comes with experience, it’s easy to envision him leading the Sixers to big things.

“He still has so much more to give and such a long way to grow and go,” Sixers coach Brett Brown told CSNPhilly.com. “He knows that more than anybody. That’s where I get excited because I see him just scratching the surface on about every level with this game.”

Embiid and Andrew Wiggins both are building cases to become the first NBA All-Stars recruited to Kansas by Bill Self.

“There is no doubt in my mind that he is consideration for that,” Brown said. “He hasn’t done much wrong for him not to be considered for that game.”

Here’s hoping the Sixers remain disciplined in restricting Embiid’s minutes. The team isn’t going anywhere anyway. Why risk injuring the franchise’s most talented player, even if the restrictions do frustrate him?

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