Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t think Joel Embiid is a dominant post player

The feud between Joel Embiid and Shaquille O’Neal continues. Recently, O’Neal spoke with Sports Illustrated and discussed several topics regarding the Philadelphia 76ers, including Ben Simmons. Shaq’s opinion on Simmons has been widely known for months, and he’s 100% correct, but he’s way in the wrong with this one.
When discussing Joel Embiid and his offensive game, Shaquille O’Neal made it clear that he does not think Joel Embiid is a dominant post player. The same Joel Embiid who has the most post-ups in the NBA and is widely agreed to be the best post player in the NBA. Embiid also has drawn numerous comparisons to the best post player ever, Hakeem Olajuwon.
“I wouldn’t use the D-word. He’s pretty good, really good, pretty good, but I would not use the D-word.”
O’Neal is arguably the most dominant center in NBA history, being nearly unstoppable in the paint during the majority of his NBA career. And while yes, Embiid isn’t as dominant in the same aspects as O’Neal was, he is still one of the best in a long time.
In years prior, Embiid had been criticized by Shaq and Charles Barkley for his work ethic and other things but has shut them up this past season. Embiid likely will pay this comment no mind but instead just use it to motivate himself to be better like he always does. There’s a chance we see Joel Embiid tonight when the 76ers host the Toronto Raptors for their second preseason game.
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