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Damian Lillard VS. Joel Embiid
Who is better?
A thread.
s and RTs appreciated.
Who is better?
A thread.
s and RTs appreciated.
I've been seeing this comparison a lot on NBA Twitter and I wasn't completely sure where I stood, so I'm going to compare them side by side.
For this thread, I'll be using statistics from over the past two seasons, (2018-19 and 2019-20)
For this thread, I'll be using statistics from over the past two seasons, (2018-19 and 2019-20)
DEFENSE
Defense is the biggest gap in this comparison, as Embiid leads in every defensive metric by a very wide margin. Eye test backs this up as well.
This shouldn't be a surprise as Embiid is a 2x All-Defensive team member, and Dame is a well below average defender.
Defense is the biggest gap in this comparison, as Embiid leads in every defensive metric by a very wide margin. Eye test backs this up as well.
This shouldn't be a surprise as Embiid is a 2x All-Defensive team member, and Dame is a well below average defender.
SCORING
Dame: (29.8 USG%)
27.7 PPG on 19.7 FGA, 45.3 FG%, 38.5 3P% on 9 3PA, 60.6 TS%
Embiid: (33.1 USG%)
25.5 PPG on 17.4 FGA, 48.1 FG%, 31.3 3P% on 3.8 3PA, 59.2 TS%
Dame: (29.8 USG%)
27.7 PPG on 19.7 FGA, 45.3 FG%, 38.5 3P% on 9 3PA, 60.6 TS%
Embiid: (33.1 USG%)
25.5 PPG on 17.4 FGA, 48.1 FG%, 31.3 3P% on 3.8 3PA, 59.2 TS%
EFFICIENCY BY ZONE
Restricted Area- Dame: 59.0%, Embiid: 69.3%
Non Restricted Paint- Dame: 34.7%, Embiid: 42.1%
Mid Range- Dame: 44.5%, Embiid: 40.2%
Restricted Area- Dame: 59.0%, Embiid: 69.3%
Non Restricted Paint- Dame: 34.7%, Embiid: 42.1%
Mid Range- Dame: 44.5%, Embiid: 40.2%
We can confirm that Embiid is the better finisher, while Dame is the better three point and mid range shooter.
Overall for scoring, Dame has a fairly clear edge, averaging more points on lower usage and better TS%, as well as being the much better shooter.
Overall for scoring, Dame has a fairly clear edge, averaging more points on lower usage and better TS%, as well as being the much better shooter.
Now the other important part offensively, playmaking.
Playmaking isn't relatively close as Dame is one of the league's premier passers and Embiid averages nearly as many turnovers as assists.
Overall offensively, Dame is definitely better.
Playmaking isn't relatively close as Dame is one of the league's premier passers and Embiid averages nearly as many turnovers as assists.
Overall offensively, Dame is definitely better.
IMPACT/VALUE
Over the past two years, with Dame on the floor, the Blazers had a NRTG of +4.79 (55 Win Pace), compared to -6.86 (22 Win Pace) with him off.
With Embiid on the floor, the Sixers had a NTRG of 6.77 (60 Win Pace), compared to -1.21 (37 Win Pace) with him off.
Over the past two years, with Dame on the floor, the Blazers had a NRTG of +4.79 (55 Win Pace), compared to -6.86 (22 Win Pace) with him off.
With Embiid on the floor, the Sixers had a NTRG of 6.77 (60 Win Pace), compared to -1.21 (37 Win Pace) with him off.
From this we can see that the Sixers overall are better with Joel than the Blazers are with Dame, but the NRTG drop off is bigger when Dame goes to the bench.
This shouldn't be a surprise considering Joel has had a better team around him.
This shouldn't be a surprise considering Joel has had a better team around him.
IMPACT/VALUE (No accumulative stats because of games played diff)
PIPM- Dame: 2.88, Embiid: 2.95
MYPIPM- Dame: 3.68, Embiid: 4.54
PIE: Dame: 16.15, Embiid: 19.5
RPM- Dame: 3.32, Embiid: 2.8
WS/48- Dame: .214, Embiid: .193
PIPM- Dame: 2.88, Embiid: 2.95
MYPIPM- Dame: 3.68, Embiid: 4.54
PIE: Dame: 16.15, Embiid: 19.5
RPM- Dame: 3.32, Embiid: 2.8
WS/48- Dame: .214, Embiid: .193
PLAYOFFS (2017-18 to 2019-20, 1 game played difference)
Dame: 25 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.5 RPG, 1.4 STL, 40.6 FG%, 55.9 TS%
Embiid: 22.3 PPG, 2.9 APG, 11.5 RPG, 1.9 BLK, 43.7 FG%, 55.4 TS%
Dame: 25 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.5 RPG, 1.4 STL, 40.6 FG%, 55.9 TS%
Embiid: 22.3 PPG, 2.9 APG, 11.5 RPG, 1.9 BLK, 43.7 FG%, 55.4 TS%
PLAYOFF IMPACT/VALUE
NRTG ON/OFF- Dame: -5.53, Embiid: +18.69
WS/48- Dame: 0.86, Embiid: .133
PIE- Dame: 12.05, Embiid: 17.09
BPM- Dame: 3.0, Embiid: 4.1
NRTG ON/OFF- Dame: -5.53, Embiid: +18.69
WS/48- Dame: 0.86, Embiid: .133
PIE- Dame: 12.05, Embiid: 17.09
BPM- Dame: 3.0, Embiid: 4.1
In the playoffs, both Dame and Joel's scoring and efficiency decrease, by a similar amount.
Embiid's impact gives him the playoff edge for me, although Dame has made it further (WCF).
Embiid's impact gives him the playoff edge for me, although Dame has made it further (WCF).
RECAP
Shooting- Dame
Finishing- Embiid
Scoring- Dame
Playmaking- Dame
Offense- Dame
Rebounding- Embiid
Defense- Embiid
Impact- Embiid
Playoffs- Embiid
Shooting- Dame
Finishing- Embiid
Scoring- Dame
Playmaking- Dame
Offense- Dame
Rebounding- Embiid
Defense- Embiid
Impact- Embiid
Playoffs- Embiid
CONCLUSION.
After comparing these two side by side, I've given a small edge to Embiid.
Embiid is elite on both sides of the ball not just one, the defense gap is much larger than the offense gap, and the impact in both the RS and PS puts Joel over the top for me.
After comparing these two side by side, I've given a small edge to Embiid.
Embiid is elite on both sides of the ball not just one, the defense gap is much larger than the offense gap, and the impact in both the RS and PS puts Joel over the top for me.
End of thread.
Embiid is now in my top 10, by the way.
Embiid is now in my top 10, by the way.
