Dikembe Mutumbo is a big fan of Joel Embiid, and he certainly knows the position the Philadelphia 76ers big plays. That’s why when one of the best shot-blockers of all-time starts raving about you, it’s high praise.
Mutumbo has worked closely with the the NBA’s international initiative and has served as an ambassador to Africa for the NBA. He’s worked closely with Embiid, first meeting him through the Basketball Without Borders program.
Mutombo spoke to Sports Illustrated, largely about the NBA’s international expansion efforts, and he talked in depth about what makes Embiid so special as a player.
It’s clear he’s excited about Embiid, who finally came into his own as a player in 2017-18 and made the All-Star Game for the first time.
“I told so many people with the 76ers, the way this kid is progressing, the way he’s playing, despite his injury, when he would get a chance to play a full season he will show the world [that] he has a chance to become much better than me or somebody else playing in the NBA from the continent.”
Mutumbo went into further detail about what in particular he loves about his game, and it’s that his playful attitude off the court is nonexistent on it. In short: Embiid wants to dominate on the floor.
I think his approach to the game—he wants to dominate. I’ll kill you on the block, I’m gonna embarrass you, and that’s something I love about him. He’s a better offensive player than I was because I think when you look at some of his moves, I didn’t have that. It’s kind of a mix of Hakeem Olajuwon and another center. He has all of that, so that’s what makes him the great basketball player that he is.
Getting compared to Olajuwon has to be exciting for Embiid, especially when that praise is coming from another legendary forward. Embiid has had a lot of fun in his first healthy summer in some time, but hearing the greats praising him for what he did during the regular season and playoffs must be extremely motivating for the future.
