Joel Embiid is a proven modern star, leading to thinking about his playing in previous eras. As a star in the 1990s and 2000s, Shaquille O’Neal gave his opinion.
Over the years, the NBA has found a significant share of elite centers. Most people point to Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP and Final MVP in 2023. His main rival was Joel Embiid, another elite center who has a regular season MVP.
Jokic and Embiid are the best modern big names, so comparisons with past stars are common. Some people even have hypothetical situations about duos playing in past generations. This includes Shaquille O’Neal and Zach Randolph, who were discussing this topic.
O’Neal appreciates what Embiid did, but I don’t think it will work out in the 2000s. During the podcast episode, O’Neill and Randolph talked about the players they feel would thrive in their time. Randolph raised Ivica Zubac, Julius Randle and Embiid in the discussion.
Shaq scoffed Embiid because he feels the 2023 MVP can’t compare to players like O’Neal and Tim Duncan. It could be a dishonest perspective, as Embiid has proven himself as a top star. He thrived despite the many injuries he had endured.
He also has a skill set that thrives in the 2000s. This is an era where he could become a superstar center. Unfortunately, O’Neill got worse for Embiid in the 2000s when he had a conversation about physicality.
He once said Embiid wouldn’t win the championship.
“Does he mean? I came out one day, so his response was, “The man isn’t playing that much anymore. What was I like?”
“What are you talking about? Brother, go inside. I’ll punish you. It seemed like I’d finished talking to you,” Shak said in his big pod.
Randolph defended his views on Embiid, as the previous MVP felt thriving. He has the physicality, size and skill to be the best of the NBA basketball era.
As basketball continues to evolve, players become more skilled. If Embiid had entered the NBA in the past few decades, he would have looked like O’Neal or Hakeem Olajuwon. He didn’t shoot 3 pointers as his game is mainly in the paint and midrange area.
However, Embiid worked on his game and fitted into modern style. It worked individually for him, as evidenced by his All-NBA nods, All-Star Game appearances, and MVP.
He doesn’t have to prove himself to people in the past like O’Neill. Of course, his recent performance has collapsed, but he is still an incredible talent.
Most modern centers are more skilled than players of that era, and will thrive in that era. They may not overwhelm players like O’Neal, but they are good enough to make a big impact. Embiid is just one of the modern centers, but there could have been some great people in every era.