No easing into season for Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. as 76ers await

No life jacket, no water wings, not even a nearby lifeguard.

Rookie Wendell Carter Jr.’s sink-or-swim moment is simply a shove into the deep end of the pool.

The Bulls finally make their season debut Thursday in Philadelphia, and they’ll do so with the 19-year-old Carter in the starting lineup.

It’s a challenge in itself to have a player so young starting.

And on top of that, he’ll be matched up with All-Star Joel Embiid.

“There’s 30-year-olds that get overwhelmed with this matchup against Embiid,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said when asked if he had concerns about Carter being in over his head. “With Wendell, we just have to go out and play solid basketball. We’ve given him a lot of film to watch on personnel and what Embiid’s tendencies are. Not just Embiid, but every matchup that Wendell’s going to have with that first group.

“It’s going out there and trusting and playing offense, which he’s pretty good at and, for a 19-year-old kid, to be able to show the type of instincts is pretty impressive.’’

But is Carter as impressive as Embiid?

The No. 7 overall pick in the draft has miles to go before earning that type of praise.

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“Joel Embiid was one of my role models growing up,’’ Carter said Wednesday. “He was someone I always wanted to pattern my game after. Just going up against him is a remarkable feeling. He’s a very physical player. He’s a very talented player. I’m going to be able to stack up and see what all I need to work on to last in this league.

“I’ve watched plenty of games of his, even before I knew I was coming into the league. I watched his game [Tuesday] night. Just minding what he’s good at and what he’s not good at and being able to expose his weaknesses.’’

There aren’t many.

Yes, Embiid’s regular-season debut against the Celtics wasn’t a masterpiece, but against an elite defender in Al Horford and an elite defensive team, Embiid still had 23 points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes.

Carter was thrust into the starting lineup last week, going against the Pacers’ Myles Turner and the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic. Both are accomplished big men, but neither is in Embiid’s class.

While Carter showed flashes, he also showed an ability to get in early foul trouble.

“They’ve changed the rules this year as far as physicality and guarding the post and also the freedom-of-movement stuff, so just have to be smart with it,’’ Hoiberg said of how Carter needs to defend Embiid. “We have to be all five aware. It’s just not a one-man problem with Embiid. We have to have great awareness of him and try and mix up coverages and hopefully make him take tough shots, knowing that he’s going to hit some of those. You just can’t get deflated when he does.’’

Carter’s makeup will help him. He doesn’t sweat the small stuff and is extremely confident in his ability, especially on defense.

But that’s about to be tested.

And Carter isn’t alone.

Hoiberg named his starters before the team flew to Philadelphia on Wednesday. Carter, Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Justin Holiday and Bobby Portis will get first crack at the Eastern Conference powerhouse.

“It’s an exciting time of year,’’ Hoiberg said. “The challenge for us is to go out there and make sure we stay together through the good times and the bad.’’