Joel Embiid plays 2-on-2 in Sixers' practice

While the Sixers scrimmaged at PCOM Tuesday afternoon, Joel Embiid shot at a side basket. Later we learned the 7-footer did more than just shoot jumpers on Tuesday.

"I just feel like I see a two-way player," coach Brett Brown said after practice. "We watched him play 1-on-1 a lot, but today he got into some 2-on-2 stuff. He is still a long ways away, but it is a lot more revealing what he can do. You can start seeing him play basketball.

"Physically it is important that none of us get ahead of ourselves or expect something too quick too soon because that is not going to happen. But when you see glimpses of his skill package, you can't help but say, 'Wow.'"

When Embiid plays 1-on-1, he is usually playing Curtis Sumpter or Sean Rooks, former players, and current members of Brown's staff. But adding players to Embiid's pick-up game involved teammates.



"It involved a few of the players, but it is piecemeal right now," Brown said. "It is not where Nerlens is guarding Joel — it is JV 2-on-2."

Nerlens Noel confirmed he had not played against Embiid.

"No, I haven't," Noel said. "If I did I would tell you, but I have not. I can say I am looking forward to it."

People question how Noel and Embiid can play together given that both are centers. Noel says the two will figure it out this summer.

"I see a bright future," Noel said. "I think Joel is a dynamic player. It is still early. Joel and I need to get reps together, but we will do that this summer. He is going to bring a lot to the table.

"He takes up a lot of space. He is always going to draw attention. His shooting ability is definitely there. He practices shooting the three. I don't know how much he will be doing that, but just having that ability is going to open up a lot of things."

Brown interrupted Embiid's post-practice shooting to tell his future star that his jumper looks good, but can he make a foul shot and shoot a jump hook? Clearly, the coach plans on making the low post Embiid's domain.

Embiid will be part of a rookie class that features the likes of Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns. Five big men are currently projected to go in the top 10 in the NBA draft.

Brown watched the NCAA Tournament that featured many of the talented bigs that will be rookies next year, and he sees Embiid every day. He wouldn't share his thoughts on Embiid's talent versus the 2015 crop of big men, but he does think about it.

"You can't help but do that," Brown said. "What I will say is when Joel got injured in the workouts, and I thought there was a chance that he could fall to us, I got really excited and still do. I think his upside is big."