Over the last few seasons, the rise of Joel Embiid has been the story of the NBA. A perennial MVP frontrunner, Embiid is a lethal weapon on either end of the floor. Breaking the stereotypes of a typical center, the Philadelphia 76ers superstar can score on all three levels. What’s more is when needed, he turns into a wall rejecting any shot thrown at home. His game has the natural ability to attract praise. However, recently he made the headlines for all the wrong reasons for a scuffle with Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton. While addressing the incident, Draymond Green labeled Embiid as a ‘bully’, but his reasonings might shock you.

Currently, the 29-year-old Philly center is favored to win his first-ever regular season MVP award after finishing second last year.

Draymond Green praises Joel Embiid for being too good

There was a time Green lashed out at Embiid earlier this season. A much-anticipated clash between Jokic and the 76ers big man had fans going wild. It was to be the clash to determine who is the real MVP. Unfortunately, the six-time All-Star couldn’t participate in the game due to an apparent injury. Angered by the absence, Green claimed The Joker is the hardest star to guard in the league.

Not only did that statement turn out to be a grave mistake, but Green’s perspective would soon change. After single-handedly annihilating the Warriors, the former DPOY saw the ‘killer’ within Joel Embiid. After the game, Green had no choice but to change his stance. “Joel’s the hardest guy to guard in the league,” he said.

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During the incident with Claxton, Embiid was caught in an embarrassing spot. He got dunked on by the Nets center. While disappointed with the eventual outcome of their duel, Green had a lot of praise for the young Nets center. In addition, he also seemed to label Embiid as the ‘big bad bully’, not from the thought that he is a ‘dirty’ player, but because he is at the top of the food chain.

“Joel’s the big bad bully. Not because Joel Embiid is the big bad bully literally. Because he is that good. So, in that situation, he is the big bad bully. Nic Claxton has to step up to him, he has to. He already don’t have a chance. He doesn’t stand a chance Joel Embiid is that good.”  said Green.

So far in the series, Embiid has been kept quiet by the Brooklyn Nets defense. The six-time All-Star is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds while shooting under the 50%-mark, way under his regular season average of 33 points per game. But a beast can only be kept in the cage for so long. A scoring champion for the second straight season, Embiid has proven on several occasions just how much he can command the game of basketball. A poor run most probably won’t last long with his skillset.

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The question is, just what kind of an explosion will we witness when Joel Embiid is back at his best?