By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Despite playing just 31 games during the 2016-17 season, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was so dominant in his rookie season that he's a finalist for the Rookie of the Year Award. Whether Embiid wins the award or not, Sixers reserve Richaun Holmes believes Embiid has a chance to be one of the most dominant players in team history.
Holmes spoke to John Clark of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, and, without hesitation, suggested that he believes the 23-year-old will be a Hall of Famer after his career is over:
"That guy, you know, I actually have to guard him. So I know all about him. He's – I think he's a Hall of Famer for sure."
After missing two seasons to open his NBA career, Embiid averaged 20.2 points-per-game, while grabbing 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. Embiid also developed a three-point shot during his two-season absence and displayed the ability to be an elite rim-protector. Keep in mind, all of this was done with him averaging 25.1 minutes-per-game. When you look at Embiid's per-36 numbers during his rookie season, his offensive numbers were on pace with what Hall of Famers Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon were doing during their primes.
Sure, you could consider calling saying someone will be a Hall of Famer after 31 games a bit hyperbolic, but when some of his advanced numbers are on pace with three of the greatest big-men in history, it's hard to argue with the notion that Embiid has that level of talent.
It's also worth noting that Embiid did this after a two-season absence and is still relatively early in his basketball journey as a whole. He didn't really start playing basketball until 2011, and his 2013-14 season at Kansas was his only college season. After being drafted, he missed two seasons with an injury to his Navicular bone, then produced at a rather incredible clip in a 31-game stint. If that's what Embiid is this early in his basketball career and after a two-year layoff, what will he be in five years?
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Of course, the key to all of this is his health. As mentioned, he missed his first two seasons with a rather serious foot problem, which is especially concerning for someone that is 7'0. He missed the 2014 NCAA tournament with a back injury. And after setting the world on fire for much of January, Embiid suffered a tear to his left meniscus late in the month, which he eventually had surgery on in March.
As excited as Philadelphia *rightfully* is about the future of the Sixers, it's impossible not to wonder how long Embiid will be able to hold up. Just prior to his eventual rookie season, Embiid said that he thinks he can play for 20 years in the NBA. The odds of that happening don't seem especially high. But Andrew Bynum, who was significantly less talented and less motivated than Embiid, was a mess physically, but still was able to help Kobe Bryant the Los Angeles Lakers win two NBA Finals before his body completely gave out on him. This suggests that if Embiid can give the Sixers five to seven years of semi-healthy, elite play, that may be enough time for the team to compete for championships.
Whether he's a Hall of Famer at the end of his career or not is anyone's guess. But it is evident, as Holmes said, that he has that level of talent.
