After missing the first nine games of the 2024-25 season, Joel Embiid finally made his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, his return was far from triumphant, and it drew heavy criticism from NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who believes that Embiid’s current mindset could prevent him from ever winning an NBA championship.
Embiid had sat out the initial stretch of the season due to a combination of issues. He missed six games for left knee management, a move that led to the 76ers being fined $100,000 for what the NBA called “inconsistent” statements regarding his health status. Embiid also missed an additional three games due to a suspension following a physical altercation with a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist. These incidents added scrutiny and uncertainty around Embiid’s return.
On Tuesday, Embiid finally took the floor against the New York Knicks, but it wasn’t the comeback that 76ers fans were hoping for. Philadelphia fell 111-99, and Embiid struggled throughout the game, finishing with just 13 points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field, along with two turnovers. It was a disappointing performance for a player who has often been regarded as one of the most dominant big men in the NBA.
During the TNT halftime show, Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back in his critique of Embiid. O’Neal, who has always been vocal about his expectations for the league’s big men, was unimpressed with Embiid’s performance and his attitude leading up to the game.
“This was the fear I had for Joel Embiid,” O’Neal said. “You announce arrogantly, ‘I’m not playing back-to-backs. I’m not injured, but I’m sore. I’ll come back when I want to come back.’ Now, when you say things like that, you’re supposed to come back with extra energy. 0-for-3? I would have been 0-for-15. But you know what y’all would have said? ‘Hey, Shaq’s not playing well, but he’s playing aggressive.’ The plan they are having—it’s not working. And not only that, I say this respectfully: Joel Embiid will never win a championship until he gets his mind and his attitude right.”
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O’Neal’s comments reflect a broader concern about Embiid’s consistency and leadership. Embiid has long been recognized as one of the most talented centers in the NBA, but questions about his conditioning, durability, and mentality have persisted throughout his career.
His decision to announce that he would not play back-to-back games—a stance that he took before the season even began—raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
Many felt that such a declaration indicated a lack of urgency or hunger, qualities that are essential for a team leader aiming for a championship.
After the game, Embiid himself admitted that he felt rusty, especially during the opening minutes of the matchup. “I mean, the first five minutes were rusty,” Embiid told reporters. “I thought after that, it was fine. You can do whatever you want in practice and [a] scrimmage. But the game is a different story. I’ll be fine.”
While Embiid tried to downplay the rough start, the pressure on him and the 76ers is mounting. Philadelphia is now 2-8 on the season, and the team’s struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. The 76ers are set to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, but if Embiid sticks to his stance on not playing back-to-back games, he will likely sit out, leaving his team without its star player once again.
The criticism from O’Neal and the current state of the 76ers highlight the challenges facing Embiid this season. He has the talent to be one of the league’s most dominant players, but questions about his commitment, leadership, and attitude continue to cloud his potential.
O’Neal’s harsh words serve as both a critique and a challenge for Embiid—one that he will need to answer if he hopes to lead Philadelphia to championship contention.
The 76ers’ hopes largely rest on Embiid’s shoulders, and his ability to bounce back from this rocky start will be crucial to their success.
With the team off to a disappointing start, and with Shaq’s criticism echoing in the background, all eyes will be on Embiid to see if he can rise to the occasion and prove his doubters wrong.
The path to a championship is never easy, and for Embiid, it may require a change in mindset and a renewed commitment to his craft, both on and off the court.
