Dikembe Mutombo considers Joel Embiid 'like his son', pray for him almost every day

Former NBA big man Dikembe Mutombo is a big fan of Sixers' big Joel Embiid and would love to see the young player succeed in the league. Mutombo, who also played for the Sixers during his career, said to Jake Fischer that considers Embiid like his son and pray for his health almost every day.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Mutombo said about Embiid: "I love that kid. I will tell you the truth. I love that kid. He’s very talented. I think he is more talented than me at that age when I came into the NBA. One thing he can’t do better than me is he can’t block shots like I do. I know he is watching a lot of my tapes and a lot of my videos.

He will get there. But I just love the kid. I love his game. I love the approach the game he has on any given night the way he plays. There is not much concern if he can get hurt every game or not. He just wants to play the game. I’ve been praying a lot for him, a lot that he will get an opportunity to play a full season in the NBA. I hope it’s coming. He really wants to follow in my footsteps, and I’m happy to see that.

Dikembe Mutombo told me he views Joel Embiid "like my son." Mutombo daily tries to "find a place where I can pray for him, may God heal him"

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) 16 agosto 2017