Joel Embiid goes one-on-one with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid in action during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

When ESPN announced young Philadelphia star Joel Embiid would appear on “First Take,” one had to hope it would mean a one-on-one debate between the charismatic big man and the daily morning show’s rambunctious personality, Stephen A. Smith.

Instead, on Friday’s episode, Smith simply fired questions that Embiid answered. No impassioned arguments. No chances for “Tro-el” Embiid to roast the polarizing sports TV debater.

Sill, the segment provided the 23-year-old face of the 76ers to talk a big game, as he is accustomed to doing.

Smith asked Embiid whether he agrees with assessments from those observers who consider him the best big man in the NBA. Of course, the second-year center from Kansas agreed.

“Yeah, definitely. Especially when you
look at the way I play the game,” said
Embiid, averaging 23.7 points, 11.1
rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 blocks
entering Friday night’s game versus
Oklahoma City. “I mean, I feel like
offensively I can do everything — be a
play-maker, score the ball, set up my
teammates. And defensively, I feel
like I’m the best defensive player in
the league. So I just try to do my
job, and then at the end of the day
it’s all about winning. As long as we
win games I think it helps me.”

The Sixers (14-13) have created buzz throughout the season’s first couple of months, with Embiid and rookie Ben Simmons forming an intriguing one-two punch.

When Embiid thinks about teaming with the 21-year-old, 6-10 point guard from Australia for years to come, he envisions greatness.

“Obviously it’s going to take a lot of
growing pains and a lot of learning to
do, and I think we’ve been doing a
great job as far as learning how to
play with each other,” Embiid said.
“But I think we have the potential to
be like one of the most dominant duos
ever. So we’ve just got to keep
working together. We’re both so young,
and I love playing with him — I’m sure
he loves playing with me, too — so I
think we have great potential.”

Off the court, Embiid has picked up fans, as well, thanks to his sense of humor. Smith, naturally, had to ask about Embiid’s social media interactions with various opponents.

“First of all, I don’t ever start
things,” Embiid said. “People might
not know that. It may start in a game
with guys being extra-physical and
just talking. I’m just going with the

flow. I’m like, ‘Oh, you want to talk?

kick your —.’ I mean, I never start
things. … If you want those problems,
that’s your fault.”

That prompted Smith to pitch a slogan for Embiid: “How do y’all like this? You start problems with The Process, The Process is gonna handle you.”

The big man’s assessment allowed him to clown Smith the way he might an opposing center:

“Umm… I liked that, but I think we can
do much better than that.”

— Watch a portion of Embiid’s “First Take” interview below.