X-Men non-review, Johnny Manziel’s trip to Vegas and the economy of sports – WFNY Podcast – 2014-05-28
May 28, 2014
Indians defense, Johnny goes to Vegas and Embiid as the best? … While We’re Waiting
May 29, 2014
The hardball appears to have subsided. Roughly one week after potentially being left to take a blind gamble, the Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly begun working out the details to meet with Kansas center Joel Embiid in advance of June’s NBA Draft.
ESPN’s Andy Katz details a discussion that would essentially eliminate Embiid from visiting with any other NBA team until the Cavs front office is given the chance to determine if Embiid is worthy of their No. 1 selection. Embiid’s representatives and the team are working toward finding an appropriate date, time and place to conduct the interview and physical to determine if the center’s previously injured back is worthy of the investment warranted by the top pick. The possibility remains it could be in Independence, but that has not been determined.
It was reported earlier this month that Embiid’s representation, led by super-agent Arn Tellem, could withhold medical information, only making it available to teams the seven-footer would like to play for—Cleveland and Milwaukee were thought to be on this list. Katz now reports that not only will the Cavs get to meet with the dynamic big man, that the Sixers, owners of the No. 3 pick, likely would have to move up to the No. 1 spot to get a chance to visit with him.
The Cavs and the Wasserman Group will continue to talk this week in hopes they can set up a date for the meeting with Embiid and Cleveland.
[Related: Simmons: Joel Embiid is going No. 1]
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Photo: Greg Nelson/SI
9 Comments
Draft Joel Embiid, resign Spencer Hawes, get both, or draft/sign someone else? Decisions, decisions.
#1 for the #3 and #10?
Hmmmm?
if Hawes effects the decision on Embiid, then you are doing it wrong
If Griffin wants to lose his job – then draft Embiid. The obvious choice is Wiggins – why is this suddenly not so clear???
Wiggins is only the obvious choice to people who buy into hype, and haven’t spent a lot of time intensely studying these players. If healthy, there is no question Embiid has the highest ceiling of anyone in this draft.
Maybe it’s more fun to root for the underdog. Embiid didn’t have a lot of hype coming into KU but now after one season of college basketball we’re going to anoint him the next Olajuwon?? I’m not convinced his ceiling is any higher than Wiggins – in fact Wiggins demonstrated a far better defensive IQ/skillset in Bill Self’s system than Embiid. Can’t wait to see what happens when/if the Cavs open things up for Wiggins offensively – it would/will be amazing to see!!!
Maybe it’s more fun to root for the underdog. Embiid didn’t have a lot of hype coming into KU but now after one season of college basketball we’re going to anoint him the next Olajuwon?? I’m not convinced his ceiling is any higher than Wiggins – in fact Wiggins demonstrated a far better defensive IQ/skillset in Bill Self’s system than Embiid. Can’t wait to see what happens when/if the Cavs open things up for Wiggins offensively – it would/will be amazing to see!!!
Actually, Embiid had the exact same defensive win share rating as Wiggins…in far fewer minutes. The reason why Embiid is so intriguing is because the rate at which he improved and added facets to his game over the course of one year was astounding. This is a guy who only started playing basketball at all less than four years ago, and he already looks so fluid with amazing footwork. He glides for a big man and can even hit step-back jumpers. There are so few centers in the league with real basketball skills, so Embiid could be a real game-changer.
Also, since you mentioned coach Bill Self…the man himself thinks that Embiid should be the #1 pick over Wiggins.
Embiid had a higher defensive win share only because of those fewer minutes. He also played fewer games – so it isn’t a real solid comparison. Embiid does have excellent footwork, runs the court well and probably will be a successful player in the NBA. But, Wiggins has the freak athleticism to be a star. The Cavs also have had a huge void at SF (since you know who left).
Very impressive what Self said about Embiid being #1 (hadn’t read that before).