With the advent of the so-called “new media” turbocharged by the more active involvement of former and current players in the NBA, fans have been treated to a novel viewpoint and experience when it comes to consuming NBA-related content. However, as they say, not all that glitters is golden — and that is even more apparent when you encounter those glib, pointless talking points coming to the surface from time to time.
That is most certainly how one could succinctly describe a certain NBA legend’s unexplainable derision to Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid. As you might have already guessed, the man being referred to is Shaquille O’Neal, who has long been critical of the former Most Valuable Player for his entire career.
Shaq’s sphere of vendetta against current NBA big men is not only localized to Embiid. Over the years, he has said a lot of smack against the likes of Rudy Gobert and Dwight Howard, although Embiid has had it the roughest.
Heck, it seems like the old head is not yet finished projecting to the demerit of the 76ers superstar. And at this point, all we can say is ”get a life, mister.”
Shaq blasts 76ers star Joel Embiid anew with unsolicited remarks
Shaq always tries to justify his unsolicited comments as him trying to “toughen up” those players he consider as conventional big men, but with Embiid, there is definitely some more extra from him when touching base on the All-Star.
Recently, O’Neal was asked about the current crop of big men he is trying to give “tough love” to, and of course, he just could not resist not handing Embiid a comment worthy of a side-eye.
”Nobody now because of the bigs that are supposed to be big. The big that I would be tough on is the Joker, but he’s the best center in the league. So I have to say nothing to him. And he has a championship, which means he knows what it takes. So I don’t have to say anything to him. Wemby, he’s still in that baby era. I try to be tough on Joel (Embiid), but apparently he can’t take it. So I’ll probably have to delete him from my program.”
So much for “nobody”, huh.
It is truly frustrating to see the narrative around Joel Embiid getting harped along the tune of “softness” when all he has done in his career is to make his teams better despite having to deal with intermittent changes to the front office, his sidekicks, and the neverending injury bug seemingly infatuated with him.
That a fellow big man who should be attuned to what Embiid is experiencing at this stage in his career is instead doing his earnest to throw mud at the superstar is pretty telling of the script which prominent media heads have spun to discredit Embiid and his body of work for the 76ers through the years.
Hopefully, Joel Embiid gets to prove everyone wrong and send a strong statement next season for the 76ers to silence his critics and instead, convert them into believers.
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