Joel Embiid blames ‘people falling on his knee’ for not unleashing ‘GOAT’ potential

Embiid's career has been marked by injuries, including missing his first two seasons due to foot injuries.

Joel Embiid blames ‘people falling on his knee’ for not unleashing ‘GOAT’ potential

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid believes that if not for injuries, he would be considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He attributed his lack of success in the playoffs to “freak injuries” that have plagued him throughout his career. He has had an impressive individual career, earning numerous accolades including seven All-Star nods, five All-NBA selections, and two scoring titles.

In an interview with The New York Times, the former league MVP acknowledged that winning championships is important, but emphasized that he needs a healthy team to achieve that goal. Embiid’s career has been marked by injuries, including missing his first two seasons due to foot injuries and playing in only 39 games last season.

If you think about it, the thing that stopped me all these years is just freak injuries. Every single playoffs, regular season, people falling on my knee or breaking my face — twice. It’s always freak injuries at the wrong time.
Joel Embiid to David Marchese of the New York Times

Despite his impressive individual achievements, Embiid’s GOAT argument is hurt by his lack of team success and the presence of other dominant centers like Nikola Jokić, who has won three NBA MVP awards and an NBA championship. However, Embiid remains confident in his abilities and believes that he can change the narrative with a deep playoff run.

FS Video

With the addition of Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers, Embiid may have the team to make a deep playoff run and bolster his GOAT argument. While injuries have held him back in the past, Embiid remains one of the most talented players in the NBA, and his determination to win and prove himself as one of the all-time greats is evident.

RELATED
“People get fooled by the names,” Joel Embiid gives reality check to LeBron James fans ahead of Team USA Olympics run
Joel Embiid and LeBron James

Joel Embiid expresses doubts about JJ Redick’s decision to coach the Lakers

Joel Embiid, a former teammate of JJ Redick‘s, has expressed doubts about Redick’s decision to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite his reservations, Embiid wishes Redick well and acknowledges that he knows what he’s getting himself into.

If I was him, I don't know if that's a perfect situation. Maybe he thinks that's a perfect situation. But if you're coming in, especially with a job like the Lakers, it's kind of a make-or-break situation, because if you succeed, great, you're going to be coaching for years. But if you don't succeed, those coaches are usually bound to be fired within a year or two. I love him, I'm happy for him, but that's a tough job.
Joel Embiid to David Marchese of the New York Times

Redick, who has no previous coaching experience, was a surprise hire for the Lakers. Coach Redick is aware of the pressure that comes with coaching the Lakers and has stated that his goal is to deliver a championship-caliber team.

The Lakers are counting on Redick to get more out of their roster than previous coach Darvin Ham did. The team has not made any significant changes to their roster from last season, so Redick will be working with the same starting five that ended last season.

In case you missed it: