Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been dealing with persistent health challenges over the years, prompting him to announce that he will no longer participate in back-to-back games for the remainder of his career.
The reigning NBA MVP cited his long-term health as the priority, ensuring that he can be available for critical games. However, this decision has not been well-received by everyone, especially by former NBA greats like Shaquille O’Neal.
In a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, O’Neal openly criticized Embiid’s decision, calling it “soft” and implying that the 76ers center should push through challenges rather than opt out of consecutive games.
O’Neal‘s blunt critique was a departure from his usual light-hearted banter, underscoring his disappointment with Embiid’s approach.
Shaq Questions Embiid’s Toughness
“You have to want to be that guy,” O’Neal said on his podcast, voicing concerns about Embiid’s commitment. “With his statements the other day, I don’t think Joel Embiid wants to be that guy. S.O.F.T. I actually want him to take it personal.
“You can’t come out before the season and say, ‘I’m not playing back-to-backs.’ So when he came out saying that, I thought about it at first. I’m like, ‘You don’t get double-teamed, you don’t get triple-teamed,’ all he’s doing is pick and pop. Why are you tired?”
O’Neal‘s comments struck a chord in the basketball community, triggering further debate about how stars should balance personal health with professional demands.
While Shaq’s comments reflect the old-school mentality of playing through adversity, others argue that managing health issues in a thoughtful way is key to extending a player’s career.
Charles Barkley Joins the Conversation
O’Neal wasn’t the only NBA legend to voice his displeasure with Embiid’s decision. Charles Barkley also expressed concern over Embiid‘s decision to forgo playing back-to-back games, particularly given his status as one of the league’s elite players.
Barkley highlighted Embiid‘s struggles in the past, including the health setbacks that plagued him during the playoffs.
“You’re one of the three, or four, or five best players in the world. You cannot say, as the leader of that team, ‘I’m not going to play certain games,'” Barkley remarked during a recent episode of NBA on TNT. “That’s not the way to start the season.”
Barkley’s comments echoed the sentiment shared by O’Neal, calling into question how Embiid’s decision might impact his leadership role within the team, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers‘ prospects in the 2024 season.
Will Embiid Respond to the Criticism?
With the new NBA season underway, Embiid faces scrutiny not only for his performance but for how he responds to the backlash surrounding his decision.
His statement about limiting his play has already sparked conversation around the league, and both fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how he manages his health and his leadership moving forward.
While Shaq and Barkley have made their displeasure clear, only time will tell whether Embiid will use their criticism as motivation or if his approach to maintaining his health will define the rest of his career.
