Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers star, has faced numerous health challenges over the past few years. Due to these injuries and health issues, he recently announced that he will not participate in back-to-back games for the remainder of his career. Embiid emphasized that his priority will be his health, ensuring he is available for crucial games. However, a former NBA player expressed disappointment with Embiid’s decision.
In a recent episode of ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq,’ Shaquille O’Neal criticized Embiid for not playing in back-to-back games. Known for his candid and sometimes harsh critiques of players, O’Neal described Embiid’s decision as “soft.” Additionally, he encouraged Embiid to take this criticism seriously, suggesting that he should strive to be more resilient in the face of such challenges.
“You have to want to be that guy, and 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 going is pick and pop. Why are you tired?” O’Neal said.
In addition to O’Neal’s remark, a number of former NBA players have also shared their insights regarding Embiid’s statement. These veteran voices have sparked discussions about Embiid’s impact on the game and his performance.
Charles Barkley Responds To Joel Embiid’s Remarks
During the last NBA playoff series against the New York Knicks, Embiid faced a significant health challenge when he suffered from Bell’s palsy. This setback led to the team’s inability to clinch the series, ultimately leading to their exit from the playoffs.
Embiid’s struggle with this medical issue added an extra layer of difficulty to an already intense matchup. As the new NBA season begins, analysts and fans are eager to see more from Embiid. Recently, former NBA player Charles Barkley expressed his disappointment with Embiid’s comments.
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“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.’ That’s not the way to start the season.” Barkley said in a recent episode of NBA on TNT.
Embiid’s remark has already caused a stir in the NBA community. It will be interesting to see how the 76ers star responds to the criticism.
Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Gets Brutally Honest About The “Only” Thing That’s Missing In The WNBA
