Joel Embiid is good. Heck, he’s arguably the best center in the NBA. But he keeps talking about Deandre Ayton. And as the Phoenix Suns rookie hasn’t played a single game yet, seems clear that Embiid has a bit of a man crush.
It seems that Phoenix Suns rookie and first overall pick Deandre Ayton has an admirer in the NBA.
Or a hater.
Or a man crush.
At least twice over the past few months, Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid has commented on Deandre Ayton, once before the Suns even had a chance to select him, and now still before Ayton has had a chance to even enter training camp.
This could be admiration or jealousy on Embiid’s part, and I could see it being either way.
Prior to being drafted, Embiid suffered an unfortunate and untimely back injury causing him to slide from an all but guaranteed first overall pick down to third where the Sixers snagged him and allowed him to recuperate and recover for two full years.
The hype that has surrounded Ayton (including comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, and even Emiid himself) was something that Embiid did not get to enjoy because of the injury. Teams were scared off due to the need for an extended recovery, and fear that it might resurface throughout his career, and thus what should have been an overflowing hype-train was somewhat diminished.
For a player who for the last two seasons has proven that regardless of the wait he probably should have been the number one pick in the 2014 draft, and is probably a little jealous and self-conscious about the incoming rookie. Embiid wants to speak himself into greatness by tearing down the guy who might eventually catch up or to even over take, thus every public opportunity he can, he is going to attempt to tear Ayton down.
Then again, Embiid might actually just be a really big fan of Deandre, but attempts to mask his positive impression of Ayton with competitive statements letting his future rookie rival know that he isn’t going to take it easy on him just because he likes what he see’s in Deandre’s game.
Embiid is well known for his public persona in which he tweets and says just about whatever he wants. No filter and no fear, makes Embiid a very enjoyable follow, and actually quite the entertaining personality.
He is also a competitive guy and while he wants to let the world know that he likes a player whom he will compete against – hopefully for many years – but isn’t about to gush without letting his opponent know that he’s not going to take it easy on him.
Phoenix Suns fans can’t wait for the season to start, and certainly can’t wait to see what Deandre Ayton can do in the NBA. Fans also love to watch rivalries develop between young stars and it certainly appears that there is one peculating between Ayton and Embiid.
Fortunately the two future title contenders meet for the first time this season fairly early, on November 19, in the City of Brotherly Love.
If there is any love for these two basketball brothers, hopefully there won’t be any injuries that’ll prevent us from getting to see them in action.
In the meantime, we can keep looking out for Embiid to keep talking about Ayton and see how this man crush continues to flourish.