Patrick Ewing Says Joel Embiid “might be the most talented center in the game”

Patrick Ewing, the Hall of Famer and original Dream Team member, has encountered some of the greatest stars the NBA has ever seen during his long playing and coaching career that dates back to 1985. It seems that the former Georgetown Hoya believes the 76ers’ Joel Embiid could be among those players, per ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh.

While watching film on Embiid this preseason, Ewing, now an assistant under Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford, was wowed at what he saw in Embiid. He told Clifford that Embiid “might be the most talented center in the game.” Clifford, speaking before the Sixers’ game in Charlotte last night, mentioned that he was relieved that Embiid isn’t currently playing the second half of back-to-backs so that the Hornets wouldn’t have to face him. I imagine the game would’ve much closer than the 109-93 final score had Embiid suited up for Philadelphia.

Embiid has dazzled the basketball world in his short pro career, giving the team its first positive national attention in years. He’s averaging 17.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.7 BPG while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 76.2 percent from the line in 21 MPG. Extrapolated that over 36 minutes per night and Embiid is averaging 29.7 points, 10.9 boards and 4.6 blocks. Embiid is as much of a must-watch player as there is in the league right now and could make the Sixers an instant League Pass favorite.

What basketball fan doesn’t want to watch a guy do this?

Patrick Ewing certainly does.