As an ambassador for the Sixers, Hall of Famer Julius Erving is as aware and in touch with the state of the franchise as anybody. Dr. J spoke to reporters at a recent appearance and gave his candidate thoughts on Philadelphia’s young players and aspirations entering the 2018/19 season.
Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Erving believes the Sixers could fall anywhere from the first to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
“The team is not complete,” Erving said. “I think the team has the core, which is very important to have, and now you have to get the tentacles, you have to get the role players and then you have to get the surprise guys that are better than you thought they were.”
Erving also weighed in on the Sixers’ two top young guns: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Simmons, the reigning Rooke of the Year, does not have much of a mid-range game at this point and Erving stressed the need for him to improve in that area.
“I always thought you work on the skills you are weak in and you work also to improve the skills where you are strong and then you just try to be a consistent force night in and night out,” he said. “So with Ben’s shooting, mid-range, long-range, I am sure he has put a lot of time in practicing that.”
Finally, Erving spoke glowingly of Embiid’s on-court potential but said the first-time All-Star needs to be a stronger leader.
“Joel is really a guy who has shown no weakness from a skill standpoint, offensively or defensively, so I think he just has to be more of a leader, maybe more of a vocal leader and probably in terms of night in and night out, doing things with matchups on the court that would allow him to be a consistent force,” Erving said.
Check out more Atlantic Division notes below
- The Nets‘ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, will have a new head coach as Will Weaver is slated to take the reins. Net Income of Net Daily highlighted the new coach and what he will face coaching the team.
- The Celtics are expected to enter the upcoming season as one of the favorites – if not the favorite – in the Eastern Conference. However, Drew Maresca of Basketball Insiders writes that Boston could have a much tougher season than expected. The Celtics will rely heavily on Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, two players returning from serious leg injuries. Also, the chemistry and playing time split between Terry Rozier, Jayson Tatum and others will be key.
Drew, you’re trippin
Embiid is the most talented big I have ever seen.
Wow. You haven’t watched much basketball then. Olajuwon and others would have differing opinions.
It’s his opinion. Flake off if you don’t like it.
What are you his big brother or something? Judging by your response I’d say you’re about twelve years old.
I’ve seen Olajuwon but Hakeem didn’t have Embiid’s handles and shooting ability.
Olajuwon is still working with the young centers in the game. I’m hoping DeAndre Ayton, Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Brandon Knight, Mikal Bridges, and T.J. Warren works out in long run for Phoenix. Too bad LeBron can’t play for them. See who gives who the anxiety issues.
No one wants to play with LeQuit.
Yahoo had an article this week saying it doesn’t look good for the Lakers in free agency next summer!
They’ll get Jimmy Butler.
Still won’t beat Golden State!
Yahoo has article saying KD signed 1 year deal
with Golden State this year so he can sign 5
year deal with them next summer. Five more
seasons of Steph, Klay, and KD1
Dionis is just about on point although I would put AD ahead of him. Bigs like Olajuwon, who was a great player, would get cooked by AD or Embiid. Hakeem was unbeatable with his back to the basket but shot 20% for 3 on his career and rarely even took them.
Agree with D$!LLKU$H~og, the bigs now are unbelievable, strong, faster than Hakeem & the guys of the 90’s, they can shoot, handle, pass…. we are witnessing the best generation of centers, with AD, Embiid, DMC, KAT, Jokic…
The bigs now aren’t even involved in the game in small ball. I saw Kareem, Wilt, Russell, Olajuwon, etc. Like Scottie Pippen said you can’t compare players in the 2 era’s. Back then the game was slower and much more physical. Now centers have to be able to guard the perimeter and shoot 3’s. The back to the basket centers are out of a job. Like Pippen, us old guys realize you can’t compare then and now. The young guys will never understand.
Wilt was the best big. He could handle & run & overwhelm people. He was famous for averaging 50 ppg early but in his second-wind years, averaged 24 points and rebounds and 9 assists. THEN with paint presense he allowed the Lakers to play 2 SFs and avg 121 ppg, winning 33 straight. He didn’t miss games either through age 36.
But why learn 3s when they only counted as 2?