Dwight Howard remembers what it was like to be a young big man in the NBA with expectations as towering as his frame. He was the first pick in the 2004 draft, ten years before the Sixers selected Joel Embiid third overall.
On Saturday, Howard, now 30 and in his 13th season, took on Embiid for the first time, two games into the rookie’s career. Embiid scored 14 points with two rebounds, one assist, two blocks, three turnovers and three fouls in 15-and-a-half minutes.
“I thought he had a great game,” Howard said after the Hawks’ 104-72 win. “I think he’s a great young player.”
There’s plenty of advice Howard could offer Embiid. He could tell the 22-year-old how he became the active league leader in rebounds or how he topped the NBA in blocks two seasons in a row. He could share what it’s like to win Defensive Player of the Year three straight seasons or the what it feels like to earn eight All-Star selections. Then there’s four seasons with 20-plus points per game, that’s an accomplishment too.
Instead, Howard sees a more important piece of insight to share with Embiid as he is on the fast-track to success in his first year. There is a mental aspect to the game that is just as significant as a stat line.
“One thing I just want to see from him is just put his head down and play,” Howard said. “Don’t get into it with nobody, don’t say nothing to nobody. Just go out there and do your job. He’s already a pretty good player. He has a chance to be a really, really good player in this league.
“But I learned when I’m playing, just put my head down and go. Don’t worry about what’s around me, don’t worry about what nobody’s saying, don’t worry about the fans, don’t worry about anybody. Just focus on my teammates and what I can bring each and every single night.”
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Howard didn’t think Embiid acted distracted in the game. His opinion was based on situations he has experienced over his lengthy career.
“I know he’s young and it’s something that I will talk to him about,” Howard said. “I’d just tell him, ‘Hey man, you’re going to have good games, you’re going to have bad games. Don’t allow that stuff to affect who you are. Don’t allow that to steal your joy.'"
Howard foresees Embiid having a long career now that he’s healthy. He didn’t realize Embiid was a true seven-footer. Howard, who’s listed at 6-foot-11, joked he’s “probably the shortest center in the league” after measuring up next to Embiid.
Now in a veteran role, Howard wants to encourage the progress and development of fellow bigs around the NBA.
“He’s very gifted, a very talented player,” Howard said. “I wish him nothing but the best. I’m going to keep pushing him so he can be great. That’s what we need. I think people talk about guards in our league, but as a big, we’ve got to do a better job of pushing each other to make sure that everybody’s talking about the big man again.”
People already are talking about Embiid.