Embiid to undergo surgery!

The scope of the 2014 NBA Draft changed drastically today.  Jeol Embiid was on at least a dozen teams draft board.  The 7'0  center out of Kansas is expected to undergo surgery on a stress fracture in the right foot.  Due to this latest injury Embiid has to be considered a risky pick.  This is the same injury that ended Yao Ming's career prematurely.  Recovering from a stress fracture is a difficult task for a man as big as Embiid.  He was already considered risky due to ongoing back issues.

This draft is expected to change the landscape of the NBA.  NBA scouts claim the talent level is on pace with the 2003 NBA Draft.  If this draft is anywhere near as good as the 2003 draft the NBA is in good hands.  That remains to be determined.

Today's NBA lacks size in comparison to previous generations.  If Embiid were 100% healthy he would be a sure bet at number one.  Teams don't want to end up like the Portland Trailblazers with Sam Bowie, or better yet Greg Oden.

Embiid averaged 11.5 points, 2.6 blocks and 8.1 rebounds per contest during his freshman campaign at Kansas.  Patrick Ewing posted 12.7 points, 3.2 blocks and 7.5 rebounds a night his freshman season at Georgetown.  Patrick finished his college career as one of the greatest NCAA centers ever.  He was selected as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1998.  To ignore Embiid's star potential would be foolish.

At some point in the first-round some team will take a risk on Embiid.  If he's available around pick # 15 the risk decreases.  This is going to be a hit or miss pick.  This type of selection can get an NBA G.M fired, or initiate a promotion and salary hike. 

Seven years from now some team may either be elated for selecting Embiid or recovering from the ramifications of a risk gone awry. That's how cut and dry winning in sports is.  Rick Pitino took the Boston Celtics job in 1997 with the hopes Bean Town would land the number one pick.  The ping pong balls played in the San Antonio Spurs favor.  Five championships later I'd say they Spurs hit the jackpot with that one selection.

Embiid comes off as a genuine young man.  Injuries are a sad reality in sports.  I wish him all the best in his future NBA endeavors.