Joel Embiid is producing some MVP-caliber numbers this season, however NBA Corridor-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal says these numbers imply jack if Embiid doesn’t lead the 76ers to a championship.
Embiid and Philly have didn’t make it previous the second spherical of the postseason on 5 events because the 2017-18 season.
Plus, Embiid’s effort of the offensive finish diminished considerably throughout final season’s playoffs and Shaq is looking him out.
“I’mma give it to him like Kareem gave it to me, and he ought to take it as disrespectful as a result of that’s how I took it,” O’Neal mentioned on The Massive Podcast with Shaq. “I used to be averaging massive numbers with LA, however we stored getting swept like, ‘Okay Shaq, you doing that on the common season, what about within the playoffs?’”
“They requested Kareem, ‘What do you concentrate on Shaq?’ Kareem mentioned, ‘Properly, he hasn’t received any championships but.’ In order that’s my message to Mr. Embiid. Like we all know what you are able to do however are you able to do it on the massive dance? Are you able to get the cellphone quantity on the massive dance? And might you are taking it residence and shut the deal?”
Satirically, whereas Shaq was busy difficult Embiid, Clippers star Paul George was evaluating him to the good man.
“How do you cease him, bro?” George mentioned of Embiid on Podcast P with Paul George. “You possibly can’t…Such as you can’t cease him. He ought to common 41 this yr like you may’t cease him. He’s too massive, he’s agile, he can shoot, he can step out from the three-point line. You understand he’s only a massive physique like he’s our era and our model of Shaq.”
Shaq really shared the quote on his Instagram story, however clearly expects extra from the large man this season.
29-year-old Embiid stays out of Philly’s lineup with knee soreness.
When Sixers coach Nick Nurse was requested if Embiid will play Friday in opposition to the Kings, he answered with, “I’m hoping so. We’re nonetheless type of going each day.”
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