Deandre Ayton, the first-overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, has been given a lot of different NBA player comparisons thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, strength and shooting ability.
During Thursday evening’s ESPN broadcast of the draft, Ayton was compared to Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid by panelist Chauncey Billups.
A well-intentioned sentiment by Billups, we’re sure, but Embiid, a notoriously excellent user of Twitter and social media in general, was having none of it.
While this was kind of mean of Embiid considering this was Ayton’s big night and all, it’s not like Embiid is exactly wrong here.
Coming into the draft, the only thing that was holding Ayton back from going No. 1 was his defensive effort. An absolute wrecking ball offensively in college, on the other end he was seen — or at least perceived — to take possessions off to some point, something that a defensive player of the year candidate like Embiid won’t take lightly.
And it’s not like Embiid’s alone in this sentiment either, as last year’s defensive player of the year, Draymond Green, chimed in to agree with the Sixers big man.
you got the crown man https://t.co/70ldUFAy2b
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 22, 2018
Welcome to the league, rook.
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