Shaquille O’Neal, who himself won the MVP award only once, claims he doesn’t respect Joel Embiid yet despite his MVP performance last season

Joel Embiid has to do better in the playoffs and win a ring, NBA legend thinks Embiid has yet to show that

Shaquille O’Neal, who himself won the MVP award only once, claims he doesn’t respect Joel Embiid yet despite his MVP performance last season

Shaquille O'Neal believes Joel Embiid has to win an NBA Championship to cement his status (image via YouTube and Open Source, X)

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the best big men to ever play the game of basketball. His opinion of other big men is revered due to his experience and ability to understand players of his own brand.

Speaking on his show The Big Podcast with Shaq, co-host Adam Lefkoe asked O’Neal about his opinion on Philadelphia 76ers superstar and current league MVP Joel Embiid. Lefkoe asked what Embiid has to do to be considered one of the greats. O’Neal responded by saying;

We know what you can do, but can you do it at the big dance… and can you take it home and close the deal?

O’Neal believes Embiid has to win an NBA Championship to be called the best big man.

YouTube video

Shaquille O’Neal referred to what Los Angeles Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talked about O’Neal back in the day. He said Abdul-Jabbar mentioned that O’Neal is great at dominating the game, but he hasn’t yet won a championship. O’Neal believes the narrative is the same for Embiid, as things stand.

O’Neal claimed that Nikola Jokic has proved himself as the best big man in the league. Twice winning the MVP in addition to the Championship last season, the Serbian has cemented his status. Embiid, on the other hand, has not shown up in the playoffs yet.

O’Neal with an interesting take on current big men

Lefkoe pointed out that Shaquille O’Neal had a slightly inferior season during his prime, compared to Embiid. O’Neal replied that during his day, the game was much more physical, and fewer fouls were called. Embiid does not have to contend against that level of physicality in today’s game. Additionally, he gets 5 more free throws per game than O’Neal did.

Shaquille O'Neal thinks Nikola Jokic has proven himself to be the best big man over Embiid
Shaquille O’Neal thinks Nikola Jokic has proven himself to be the best big man over Embiid (image via Open Source, X)

Joel Embiid is currently averaging 34.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks per game. If he keeps this up, he will be a frontrunner in the MVP race. But O’Neal wants Embiid to add a championship to his resume.

O’Neal’s point was that Jokic has changed the way big men play, and brought himself a championship in the process. Embiid, on the other hand, has not done anything significant yet.

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