ESPN NBA Rank 2018-19: 5 players they ranked too high

#3 Joel Embiid

Oklahoma City Thunder v Philadelphia 76ers

As long as we're considering Anthony Davis as a power forward (even though he's likely to be the Pelicans' default starting center this season), the notion of Embiid being the game's best two-way center should be counted as quite valid.

There's a lot to like about Embiid's game. He has the whole package on offense, thriving the most in the traditional sense from the low post region, but with the ability to stretch defenses out to the 3-point line. He's an adequate playmaker, devastating rim-runner, a willing screener and one of the best pick-and-pop roll men in the league.

With that being said, Embiid has no playoff resume to speak of, thus far. While he racked up volume stats against the Heat and the Celtics after a comeback from an orbital fracture surgery, he was clearly not well-conditioned and at one point, a clear liability on defense against Al Horford.

Embiid does belong in the conversation of the league's elite and after a healthy offseason for the first time in 4 years, he has a chance to prove himself right. But for now, there are seasoned veterans like Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler and LaMarcus Aldridge who should be considered better than him for the upcoming season.