Star center Joel Embiid is following up his MVP season with, perhaps the best stretch of his NBA career so far. Joel, 29, still has a lot to prove about his play in the postseason but his current tear is drawing attention across the league. Recently, Clippers star Paul George became the latest to heap praise on the Cameroon native, going so far as to call him the modern-day Shaq.
“You can’t stop [Joel Embiid]. He’s too big, he’s agile. He can shoot, he can step out from the three-point line. He’s just a big body. He’s our generation and our version of Shaq,” said George on ‘Podcast P.’ “There’s nobody we could put on Shaq. Bro, there’s nobody you could put on Joel. You put a big on him, he’s gonna go around him. You put a small on him, he’s gonna punish him. He plays the big spot how a big is supposed to play.”
"He's our generation and our version of Shaq."
PG on why Joel Embiid is simply unstoppable. @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/nn3HJCGKUI
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) January 10, 2024
No matter how you feel about Embiid, there is no denying his status as one of the best in the world. With averages of 34.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, Joel is on an absolute tear right now and he’s making a strong case to win his second-straight MVP. But when it comes to the comparisons to Shaq, one could argue he hasn’t yet earned his place in that conversation.
Joel Vs. Shaq
Shaq’s best season was arguably 1999-2000 when he posted 29.7 points and 13.6 rebounds per game in 79 contests for the Lakers. Statistically, those numbers aren’t too far off from what Embiid is doing right now… except Embiid is shooting better from the free-throw line, an area where Shaq notoriously struggled. The big difference between the two, and what really holds Embiid back, is the postseason.
Shaq always elevated his play in the playoffs and his dominance is part of the reason why the Lakers went on their historic three-peat from 2000-2002. He’s also got 3 Finals MVPs to show for it. Unfortunately, Embiid hasn’t even made the Conference Finals in his 76ers career and his lack of success in April, May, and June, is why some critics will always doubt his chances to ever reach the level of Shaquille O’Neal.
76ers In Position
Could this finally be the year that Philadelphia makes a push and has a breakthrough? No doubt, we’ve seen this type of story before from the 76ers and they’ve failed more often than not. Whether it’s Ben Simmons or James Harden, no teammate or co-star has been to get this squad over the hump. With the emergence of Tyrese Maxey, however, they are hoping that will change.
This season, Maxey has emerged as a legitimate star alongside Embiid and their tandem together has breathed new life into the organization. At 23-12, the Sixers are 3rd in the East, only behind the Bucks and Celtics. If they can keep up this pace through the winter, they’ll enter the playoffs with homecourt advantage and their best chance yet of making history as NBA champions. For Embiid, leading the 76ers to a title is really the last thing he needs to validate his status as the modern-day version of Shaq.
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