Joel Embiid is the Future of Philadelphia Sports

From the Sixers Facebook

I saw Barkley. I saw Iverson. I've never seen any Sixers player in my memory with the talent of Joel Embiid. I know, he's on a 1-7 team. I know he's played eight games. I also know what I see.

The rookie center is playing 21.6 minutes per game, but averaging 17.6 points. He's shooting 48% from the field, and knocking down 2.6 blocks per game. He's big, he can shoot, he can pass, he's athletic- he's just a monster. I won't make the comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon yet, but I can see the potential to grow into that.

The best part of all of this to me is that the team is still 1-7. Jahlil Okafor is still working his way back from an off-season knee injury that took away his pre-season, and is getting limited minutes. Dario Saric is beginning to come into his own as a rookie as well, and you can almost see the improvement in him by night. Ben Simmons hasn't played a game yet. This team may be buried from playoff contention by the 30 game mark at this rate, which is excellent. You want to see improvement. You want to see them get better when everyone is healthy after the New Year, when everyone can get on the court. You want to feel good in March about this team, not now. You want to do all of this though, and get back in the lottery one more time. Even if indeed they end up swappig with Sacramento (as expected, since they have the rights to), even if you think the Lakers will end up back in the lottery, there's no reason to want the Sixers to peak yet in 2016. Add that one or two more talent pieces to this group, especially in a draft year stacked with back court talent. There's no sense making the playoffs this year and losing in round one. You want them to add the final draft piece or two to their talent, and have a chance to be a second round team in a weak Eastern Conference next season.

For now though, admire what you are seeing from Embiid. IF he can stay healthy and improve his game, you are watching a multi-time All-Star big man that can re-define the game with his shooting ability and athleticism. Joel Embiid, with all due respect to the young talent on the Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies, is the future of sports in Philadelphia. He is the truth. He is the next MVP type talent that could just pan out for us.