When it comes to the greatest centers in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal is undoubtedly near the top as a 4x champion and 3x Finals MVP. In the modern game, Joel Embiid is trying his hardest to forge a Shaq-like path to greatness but he still has a ways to go before he’s anywhere near that level. As Shaq himself recently said on ‘The Big Podcast,’ he’s got to step up in the spring for his resume to have any weight.
“We know what you can do, but can you do it at the big dance? Can you get the phone number at the big dance and can you take it home and close the deal?”
“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?”
-Shaq’s message to Joel Embiid.
Tap the link to watch Ep. 3 of The Big Podcast: https://t.co/sOPnrYEvhc pic.twitter.com/7xsEMUCh46
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) January 10, 2024
But Shaq didn’t stop there. In an interesting twist, O’Neal went on to explain why Nikola Jokic is currently the best center in the league, even over the reigning MVP.
“We all know Joel Embiid is the best big man when it comes to numbers and all that, but Joker went to the big dance and got that thing done.”
It’s hard to argue against Shaq’s case here. As good as Embiid has been throughout last season and into this year, he still hasn’t delivered when it counts the most. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic is already a 2x MVP with a championship run to show for it.
Embiid’s Disappointing Playoff Track Record
With averages of 34.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game on 53% shooting, Joel Embiid is certainly appears talented enough to lead the 76ers to a championship. But when you look back over his career, Embiid has failed more often than not in the high-pressure moments. The 76ers completely folded against the Raptors in 2019, the Celtics in 2020, and the Hawks in 2021, even when they were favored to win.
Their worst loss came just a few months ago against the Boston Celtics. Despite going up 3-2 with a Game 6 in Philadelphia, the Sixers lost both games and collapsed down the stretch in embarrassing fashion. The performance cost Doc Rivers his job and it put a stain on Joel Embiid’s playoff resume. Now, he’s actively working to make up for his mistakes and right the wrongs of the past.
76ers Have Arrived
Fortunately for Embiid, this season is shaping up to be his best chance yet at making a title run. Besides his best stretch of play to date, the 76ers have been powered by the breakout season of Tyrese Maxey, who is a leading candidate for Most Improved. Maxey is averaging 25.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 3. 6 rebounds per game on 45.5% shooting — career highs across the board.
Between the star tandem, the play of Tobias Harris, and the impressive coaching of Nick Nurse, the 76ers are proving to be a real threat in the East this season, which is surprising given all that transpired over the summer with James Harden. After so many tough breaks, this could finally be the year that the 76ers have a breakthrough in the playoffs and it will be all that Embiid needs to join the ranks of Jokic and Giannis. Of course, he may need to go through both of them if he wants to make the Finals anyway…
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