Nick PicconeThe feeling of excitement heading into the 2016-17 NBA season is more palpable in Philadelphia than it has been in a long, long time. With Ben Simmons, one or both of Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel and a reportedly healthy Joel Embiid, this season will finally give us a glimpse at what Brett Brown can do as a head coach in the league with good to great players at his disposal.
One of those players, the aforementioned Embiid, is finally healthy after missing the last two seasons with his foot injury. And while we all know he won’t see back-to-back action this coming season, we’re all highly anticipating his debut – finally – in a Sixers uniform.
And according to at least one NBA analyst, a Celtics one at that, Embiid could surpass 2015 first overall NBA draft pick, Karl Anthony-Towns as the “future of the big man” in the NBA. And on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio with Philly Influencer weekly contributor, Tom Byrne, Brian Scalabrine had nothing but great things to say about our 2014 first-round pick when Byrne asked him which of the top three players selected in the 2014 draft – Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker or Embiid – would become the best player.
“Oh, Embiid. Not even close. I mean, if Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about – I’m not gonna say a generational player – but, I’m talking about a franchise changer. I mean, really, I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the league is gonna have a hard time with him. If healthy.”
That’s a huge if, Brian!
“In two years, he’s the best big man the league, he will surpass Karl Anthony-Towns as the future of the big man.”
Scalabrine don’t give no cares. Embiid was slated to be the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft before his foot injury derailed the beginning of his professional career, so Scalabrine might be on to something here. Let’s hope he is. Celtics analyst or not.
You can listen to the audio below.
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