While Thabeet put up pretty decent numbers in college, he was always a stiff.
If you ever actually watched him play, you would have noticed that almost all of his points came from put-backs or lobs. On defense, he was allowed to foul quite a bit.
Now somebody else mentioned it earlier, but typically the reason why stiff bigs can succeed in college, but not the NBA is because of the there's a more compact lane, the three-point line is closer, inconsistent reffing and certain conferences had reputations for playing tough...so their players go to play tough. UCONN was in one of those conferences. However, once you get to the NBA and you're dealing with more athletic players, an expanded lane, expanded three-point line and better reffing with an emphasis on a more finesse style of game, those big stiffs can't adjust. Roy Hibbert is one of the very few without a jumpshot, who has been able to do so in recent years.
That's why this little comparison of Embiid to Thabeet is absolutely ridiculous. Embiid is a fluid athlete with solid post moves who has natural defensive instincts on the court. Of course comparing him to Olajuwon is a bit ridiculous, but you're flat out blind if you can't see some of the similarities between them. Embiid will be a very good player...he may not be the best post player of all time, but rest assured, he will be good. And at least he plays aggressive, which is more than you can say about Wiggins.
Hantlers out.