Butt Slaps and All-Star Considerations for Joel Embiid

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I like that kid a lot. I don’t give a lot of people props, but I like that kid a lot, man. I think he has a great chance to be the best big in the league … after I retire,” DeMarcus Cousins said heartily about Joel Embiid.[/perfectpullquote]

The two big men had just finished an intense battle that included a  joyous series of butt slapping. It’s easy to tell how much fun Cousins was having when he made the remarks. Jokes aside, however, Cousins was right. It appears Embiid is well on his way to becoming the best big in the game.

21 games into the season, the rookie big man is averaging 18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 46.8% shooting in 24.7 minutes. These numbers make a pretty strong case for an all-star spot.

“There is no doubt in my mind that he is a serious consideration for that,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said of Embiid’s chances of becoming an all-star in his debut season. “I mean, he hasn’t done much wrong for him not to be legitimately considered for that game.”

Don’t look now, but Embiid may be the first rookie to get voted for an All-Star spot since Blake Griffin in 2011.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“If it’s a possibility it would be great,” Embiid said of making the 2017 All-Star team. “And especially as a rookie that would be exciting.”[/perfectpullquote]

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Featured photo: usatthebiglead