Joel Embiid: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Centers (Basketball Biography Books)

Learn the Inspiring Story of the Philadelphia 76ers' Star Center Joel Embiid!

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In Joel Embiid: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Centers, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's future greats, Joel Embiid. As the third overall pick in the 2014 Draft, Joel Embiid has emerged as one of the top centers to play in the modern league due to his ability to do close to everything. Whether it's rebounding, blocking shots or making three pointers, Joel Embiid is close to the total package when it comes to finding a franchise player. It is incredibly difficult and rare to find a big man with the unique skillset that Embiid possesses.

In the 2017-2018 season, the 76ers shocked many as they not only returned to the playoffs, but also quickly became favorites to make a deep run. While they were ultimately thwarted by the Boston Celtics, an impression was clearly made among players and coaches in the league that the 76ers were finally ready to reestablish themselves as dominant forces in the Eastern Conference. Just twenty-four years old at the time of this writing, it'll be exciting to follow Embiid's journey as he continues to grow in the years to come.

Here is a preview of what is inside this book:

• Childhood and Early Life
• High School Career in the United States
• Getting Drafted, The Two-Year Absence, First All-Star Season
• Embiid's Personal Life
• Impact on Basketball
• Legacy and Future

An excerpt from the book:

Throughout the history of the NBA, the league has seen its share of great centers. As many successful championship teams have proven, the center position is one of the most vital roles in the NBA. From George Mikan, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain all the way to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal, these centers have defined what it is to be great in the NBA.

While there may have been great centers that have dominated the league, nobody could claim to be more complete than the Houston Rockets' legendary Hakeem Olajuwon. With his seven-foot, 250-pound frame, Olajuwon had size and strength. However, it was his overall skill level that got him the two championship trophies and MVP award he rightfully won. He was a nimble center despite being so massive. He had the grace of a ballet dancer and the footwork of a boxer whenever he went for his patented post moves. He could also drain jump shots, dribble all the way to the basket, and pass the ball whenever he saw open teammates. On top of all that, Hakeem Olajuwon was a great defender and leads the NBA in career blocks.

As time passed and the center position diminished concerning skill and purpose in the NBA, many came to realize that we may never again see the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon or even other great pivot players. The NBA has transitioned into a positionless style that now focuses more on ball movement, spacing, and three-point shooting. Because of this, centers have been reduced to shot-blockers, rebounders, and targets for drop and lob passes.

However, this transition also gave rise to skilled big men. Because the NBA now puts more emphasis on ball movement and shooting, centers learned how to pass, dribble, and shoot the ball like guards do. This led to the rise of versatile centers that could do it all. And among all of those centers, no other player resembles the skill level of Hakeem Olajuwon more than Joel Embiid.

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