13 weeks into the NBA season, and it seems like teams are no longer tanking for Wiggins. Don't get me wrong, there's still a ton of tanking going on, but there is a new prize to be had. In fact, you don't have to even leave Lawrence, Kansas to catch a glimpse of the future first overall pick.
The seven foot Cameroonian, Joel Embiid, is now widely considered to be the most likely candidate to go first, and draws comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon. Embiid is light on his feet for someone who is 84 inches tall, and has been improving exponentially since the start of the season. What makes Embiid so enticing is that he didn't start playing basketball until he was 16 years old! He's only been playing for a couple of years and he already plays the game so well. Imagine what he will be capable of when he gets professional trainers and coaches to work with him.
The reason I bring up Embiid is to figure out if the 76ers would select him if they got the first overall pick. I can see them possibly drafting Embiid if they think Noel will not be able to contribute too much, but I highly doubt that. Noel is most likely ready to play within the next month, but will sit out so the Sixers can keep tanking. I still think that drafting Wiggins fits the 76ers plans perfectly. They have a really talented point guard and center, now they have to find someone on the wings who can not only be a superstar on offense one day, but someone who is athletic and aggressive enough on defense who can compete with LeBron and Paul George. When figuring out who to draft this summer, teams should remember what happened in the NBA Finals, and ask if they think player X could not only hold his own, but thrive in those situations. Wiggins and Embiid both fit that scenario, but the move for the 76ers is Wiggins because if the Sixers plan on winning a championship eventually, they're going to have to go through Indiana, Miami and whoever else emerges over the next couple of years. Wiggins is the guy who will not only reach his potential in the NBA, but be able to potentially outplay LeBron and George.
Without further ado, here are the Week 13 Reverse Power Rankings:
The Contenders:
30) Indiana Pacers (33-7)
29) San Antonio Spurs (32-9)
28) Portland Trailblazers (31-10)
27) Oklahoma City Thunder (31-10)
26) Miami Heat 29-12)
25) Los Angeles Clippers (29-14)
24) Houston Rockets (28-15)
The Rest Out West:
23) Golden State Warriors (26-17)
22) Dallas Mavericks (25-18)
21) Phoenix Suns (23-17)
Improvements Out East?!:
20) Atlanta Hawks (21-19)
19) Toronto Raptors (20-20)
18) Washington Wizards (20-20)
17) Chicago Bulls (20-20)
Chasing Phoenix For The Eighth Seed:
16) Memphis Grizzlies (20-20)
15) Denver Nuggets (20-20)
14) Minnesota Timberwolves (19-21)
Most Improved Since Last Rankings:
13) Brooklyn Nets (17-22)
Fighting For Eighth Seed (But Secretly Want A Lottery Pick) In The East:
12) Charlotte Bobcats (18-25)
11) Detroit Pistons (17-24)
10) Cleveland Cavaliers (15-26)
Initiating Tank Mode Out West:
9) New Orleans Pelicans (16-24)
8) Los Angeles Lakers (16-26)
7) Sacramento Kings (14-25)
I Have A Feeling Melo Is Leaving:
6) New York Knicks (15-26)
Riggin For Embiid:
5) Boston Celtics (14-28)
4) Utah Jazz (14-28)
3) Philadelphia 76ers (13-28)
2) Orlando Magic (11-30)
1) Milwaukee Bucks (7-33)
By: Dan Goggin
The reason I bring up Embiid is to figure out if the 76ers would select him if they got the first overall pick. I can see them possibly drafting Embiid if they think Noel will not be able to contribute too much, but I highly doubt that. Noel is most likely ready to play within the next month, but will sit out so the Sixers can keep tanking. I still think that drafting Wiggins fits the 76ers plans perfectly. They have a really talented point guard and center, now they have to find someone on the wings who can not only be a superstar on offense one day, but someone who is athletic and aggressive enough on defense who can compete with LeBron and Paul George. When figuring out who to draft this summer, teams should remember what happened in the NBA Finals, and ask if they think player X could not only hold his own, but thrive in those situations. Wiggins and Embiid both fit that scenario, but the move for the 76ers is Wiggins because if the Sixers plan on winning a championship eventually, they're going to have to go through Indiana, Miami and whoever else emerges over the next couple of years. Wiggins is the guy who will not only reach his potential in the NBA, but be able to potentially outplay LeBron and George.
Without further ado, here are the Week 13 Reverse Power Rankings:
The Contenders:
30) Indiana Pacers (33-7)
29) San Antonio Spurs (32-9)
28) Portland Trailblazers (31-10)
27) Oklahoma City Thunder (31-10)
26) Miami Heat 29-12)
25) Los Angeles Clippers (29-14)
24) Houston Rockets (28-15)
The Rest Out West:
23) Golden State Warriors (26-17)
22) Dallas Mavericks (25-18)
21) Phoenix Suns (23-17)
Improvements Out East?!:
20) Atlanta Hawks (21-19)
19) Toronto Raptors (20-20)
18) Washington Wizards (20-20)
17) Chicago Bulls (20-20)
Chasing Phoenix For The Eighth Seed:
16) Memphis Grizzlies (20-20)
15) Denver Nuggets (20-20)
14) Minnesota Timberwolves (19-21)
Most Improved Since Last Rankings:
13) Brooklyn Nets (17-22)
Fighting For Eighth Seed (But Secretly Want A Lottery Pick) In The East:
12) Charlotte Bobcats (18-25)
11) Detroit Pistons (17-24)
10) Cleveland Cavaliers (15-26)
Initiating Tank Mode Out West:
9) New Orleans Pelicans (16-24)
8) Los Angeles Lakers (16-26)
7) Sacramento Kings (14-25)
I Have A Feeling Melo Is Leaving:
6) New York Knicks (15-26)
Riggin For Embiid:
5) Boston Celtics (14-28)
4) Utah Jazz (14-28)
3) Philadelphia 76ers (13-28)
2) Orlando Magic (11-30)
1) Milwaukee Bucks (7-33)
By: Dan Goggin
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