76ers star Joel Embiid believes he’s ‘the best defensive player’ in the NBA

The Philadelphia 76ers are taking the NBA by storm this season. Joel Embiid and company have become a must-see team in the league. The young squad put on a show on a nightly basis in Philadelphia and around the league.

Embiid’s NBA career got off to a rocky start due to injuries. He has quickly become the best center in the league this season. The Kansas product is destroying teams on both ends of the floor this year with a physical presence in the paint that we haven’t seen since the days of prime Shaquille O’Neal.

Presence

The 23-year-old believes he’s the best defensive player in the NBA, via Jessica Camerato of NBC Philadelphia

“Not to be cocky, but I think I’m the best defensive player in the league right now,” Embiid said.

Not only is Embiid as confident as ever while dominating the competition on a nightly basis, but he claims he’s not even at 100 percent physically right now. A bold statement for how well he’s played thus far, via Camerato.

“It’s not all the way there but I think it’s getting better,” Embiid said. “I’ve still got to work on a lot of things, but it’s getting there. I can’t wait to be at a hundred percent.”

A scary prospect for opposing teams to say the least if Embiid is telling the truth about where he’s at physically.

In 16 76ers games this season, Embiid is averaging 22.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game with a field-goal percentage of 50.2. The former lottery pick is a handful with teams still figuring out how to contain him.