Phoenix Suns draft pick Deandre Ayton didn’t even have time to sign his first NBA contract before he got a rival. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid called out the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft over Twitter on draft night. Don’t compare Ayton to me either… I play DEFENSE — Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 22, 2018 A common criticism of Ayton coming out of college has been his defense. He struggled at times playing power forward for Arizona, and his block numbers are well below other bigs taken in the lottery, particularly Jaren Jackson, Jr. (Grizzlies) and Mo Bamba (Magic). The Suns are betting that by moving Ayton back to his natural center position, he’ll be able to discover proper technique and grow as a defender as he matures. Embiid, picked No. 3 overall in 2014, is one of the finalists for NBA Defensive Player of the Year this year. He helped anchor a dominant 76ers defense in 2017. Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green, also known for trash talking, got involved too. 👑👑👑👑👑👑 you got the crown man 😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/70ldUFAy2b — Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 22, 2018 It’s unclear if there’s distaste between the two or if Embiid is just trolling – he’s become a figure for tweeting at anyone from the former 76ers general manager’s wife’s fake Twitter account to Rihanna – but either way, it’s a loud welcome to the league for the 19-year-old Ayton. He got a warmer hello from the Arizona sports scene. The Wildcats basketball Twitter account and the Suns shared a moment. The Arizona Cardinals also tweeted their support. Right around first pitch in Pittsburgh, the Arizona Diamondbacks told Ayton that he can throw the first pitch when they’re back home. Welcome (back) to Arizona, @DeandreAyton! We’ve got a first pitch at Chase Field with your name on it. ⚾️🏀 #AllAZ https://t.co/4ZSqhQQCZA — Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 21, 2018 Follow @Logan_Newsman<doc-sep>BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: DeAndre Ayton talks to the media after being selected number one overall by the Phoenix Suns on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) Thursday night Joel Embiid called Deandre Ayton out on Twitter for not playing defense. The Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers might have a budding rivalry on their hands. It is one thing for a player to call out another while the two have been playing in the league together, or at least are entering the NBA at the same time. It is also another for one player to say that another “doesn’t play defense” when it is a total statistical inaccuracy. For Joel Embiid to say that Deandre Ayton doesn’t play defense is as much a lie as Shaquille O’Neal admitted to telling David Robinson the same thing. If you haven’t heard this story of how Shaq used this false narrative to help fuel himself to become one of the most feared players the NBA it is definitely one revisiting. Embiid may have just handed Ayton the fuel he needs to take over the title as best big man in the NBA. Don’t compare Ayton to me either… I play DEFENSE — Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 22, 2018 The fact that the tweet was said should be enough, the fact that it was said live on TV, during his interview after his name was called should enrage him. That was Ayton’s moment, and Joel wanted the world to know it’s his NBA. Although his “process” took two years to actually begin, Embiid, the resident title holder of best big man in the league, has lead the revolution of today’s big men. One who can not only dominate inside but also on pick and rolls, here they can pull up for a 15-foot jumper or can also drain the 3. He has also slid into the role of beloved big man similar to Shaq. Others have tried – such as Dwight Howard – but failed. A strong personality and good grasp on social media has allowed Embiid to garner fans across the globe – and also the attention of Rihanna. That still pales in comparison to Shaq fibbing about him sleeping with Cindy Crawford, among others. With that tweet about Ayton, Embiid seems to have taken on the role of The Admiral by attempting to foil any comparisons and also destroy him publicly regarding his defense before the rookie even gets to pull ovr an NBA uniform. This was not an autograph, but it was a challenge, and very real and as a number one draft pick Deandre Ayton should see it as such. The Suns need him to see it that way. They would even love for him to become a social media darling like Embiid, but ultimately he was brought here to dominate on the court and not on Twitter, and he will be given every opportunity to do so. Ayton will be asked to help lead a franchise back to the playoffs and hopefully dodge a two-year wait as Philadelphia did with Embiid. Hopefully Embiid fueled a desire in Ayton more than ever before, and has set up some great future match-ups. The question now is, will Ayton respond? Will he take the road of Shaq and say he plans to dunk on Embiid each time they meet, or will he take the high road letting his game speak for itself. The consensus around the league, simply put by Draymond Green, and seems to be that of the Romans and their desire for gladiator sports: We Want More! The 10 years of the Admiral vs Shaq had its ups and downs and even some petty moments. Ultimately though, it produced great basketball and heated rivalries, everything the NBA needs. The Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers have one thing in common: they are young. But now they both have transcendent centers on their rosters to help lead a revolution at the position and hopefully championship duels. But the personal match up has now been set, similar to David vs Shaq, and we can only hope for 10 years of Ayton vs Embiid!<doc-sep>The Phoenix Suns made Deandre Ayton the Arizona Wildcats' first No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday night. Throughout the draft process, analysts and experts have compared Ayton to the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson. Ayton models his game and intensity on the court after Kevin Garnett. Another comparison for Ayton is Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid, also known as The Process. Both are 7-footers, can play in the post as well as face up to the basket. Embiid and Ayton's footwork and athleticism are similar, but Embiid made it clear to the Twitter world that the comparison is wrong, because of defense. Don’t compare Ayton to me either... I play DEFENSE — Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 22, 2018 "Don't compare Ayton to me either ... I play DEFENSE," Embiid tweeted. Embiid wasn't the only one throwing shade at the Arizona Wildcats star on Saturday. The University of Buffalo's basketball program posted the following Tweet and video:<doc-sep>Matt Slocum/Associated Press Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid isn’t a fan of particular draft comparisons. After the Phoenix Suns selected University of Arizona big man Deandre Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, Embiid weighed in on social media about the prospect’s defensive ability or lack thereof: Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green approved of Embiid’s Twitter game: While Ayton impressed in his one collegiate season at Arizona by averaging 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, there were some questions about his defensive ability entering the draft. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman provided a scouting report for Ayton, noting "he’ll need to improve in rim protection in the pros" and questioning Ayton's instincts on the defensive end. If Ayton does struggle on the defensive side during his NBA career, Embiid will surely be there to remind everyone on Twitter.<doc-sep>
Whereas Brooklyn is the place to be for NBA general managers right now, for many others who are following the activities in the NBA Draft, the real action is on Twitter – some of which are being provided by the unlikely tandem of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Golden State Warriors do-it-all forward Draymond Green. When Embiid heard that Deandre Ayton was being compared to him, the Sixers All-Star big man immediately took to Twitter to express his obvious disdain of the evaluation, which he felt was not only fair but premature. Embiid particularly ridiculed Ayton’s defense with this tweet. Don’t compare Ayton to me either… I play DEFENSE — Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 22, 2018 Shortly after he hit the tweet button, Embiid got a reaction from Draymond Green. 👑👑👑👑👑👑 you got the crown man 😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/70ldUFAy2b — Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 22, 2018 Embiid retorted to that tweet with a rather simpler hashtag that also seems to be his way of recruiting LeBron James to come and play in the City of Brotherly Love. The Sixers are headed to next season brimming with confidence after going as deep as the second round of the playoffs this year. Embiid and Ben Simmons have proven to be the cornerstones of the franchise, and they will get additional help with former Texas Tech Red Raider standout Zhaire Smith coming into their fold via a draft-day trade with the Phoenix Suns. As for the Warriors, they have the no. 28 pick, so let’s see what Green has to say about his team’s selection.