Joel Embiid drew comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon before he ever stepped on an NBA court. Now that he’s finally playing and impressing during the preseason, Sixers head coach Brett Brown says Embiid reminds him of another all-time great big man.
Late last week, Brown told CSN Philly that Embiid will be the “focal point both offensively and defensively” and that the big man has the same “it” factor Tim Duncan had years ago:
“You see him and he just has ‘it,’” Brown said. “Years ago, you saw it with [Tim] Duncan. I see it with him in regards to a real target offensively and a real sort of centerpiece defensively.”
“We all know it’s going to take time,” Brown said. “We all get it. Nobody can rush what is unfair. We’re going to expect growth. There’s going to be some stumbling blocks. But I believe that his potential, his upside, his desire to be great is real. I think that his talent, if we keep him nice and healthy, has the chance to allow me to do what I just said.”
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