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Joel Embiid, who is no stranger to the rigors of the NBA, said the Phoenix Suns rookie, Deandre Ayton, is about to be initiated to a process of his own.
Embiid, in an interview Friday on the ESPN Jump at the Philadelphia 76ers media day, said the 2018 first draft pick will have a hard time for his first professional season.
"He's about to get his ass kicked this year," said Embiid at the 76ers' practice center in Camden, New Jersey.
Embiid, who is entering his third season four years after being No. 3 overall, speaks from experience. A foot stress fracture and two related surgeries led him to miss his first two seasons. He was then limited to 31 games in his third season after tearing the meniscus of the left knee, an injury for which he underwent another operation.
New Sixers general manager Elton Brand said the next 12 months would be crucial as the team pursues a championship.
Guard of the Phoenix Devin Booker underwent surgery to repair an injury to the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint in his right hand. The Suns say the expected recovery time is about six weeks.
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Embiid recovered to become an All-Star last season, averaging 27.2 points and 13.0 rebounds in 63 games. But he missed 10 games late in the season, including the first two playoffs, after suffering an orbital fracture and a concussion in a collision with teammate Markelle Fultz during a game.
On paper, Embiid and Ayton are alike with athletic and versatile skills presented in 7-foot frames. But Embiid does not take into account any comparison, saying that it is too early.
"It's going to be good," said Embiid to Rachel Nichols and Stephen Jackson of ESPN. "But when you talk about" he looks like Joel Embiid, "I play both sides of the field, I think I'm a good offensive player, a good defensive player, I do it on both sides of the field. I've seen him play and he has a lot of work to do, but he has a lot of potential, he'll be really good. "
Embiid said he had high hopes for the 76ers and wanted to establish himself as the true leader of the team.
"Last year we won 52 matches," said Embiid. "This year, I hope to go to 55, 60, 65. So, that's the goal, and from there, you know, I'm going to have to be part of it. every night and average, I do not know, 27 points, and I'm excited. "
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