Shaquille O'Neal On Joel Embiid Could Have Played In His Era

Shaquille O’Neal Questions If Joel Embiid Could Have Played During His Era

Updated –Jun 19, 2025

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The rivalry between Shaquille O’Neal and Joel Embiid gained a new chapter after the TNT host questioned how the 76ers star plays basketball.

Shaquille O’Neal Questions Joel Embiid’s Toughness

Shaq on how Joel Embiid plays basketball:

“I would give you my lunch but I’m homeless and I might die today.”

NEW EPISODE ft. Zach Randolph is LIVE: https://t.co/r3YgRJkxr2 pic.twitter.com/VJUtv67AmX

— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) June 19, 2025

On the latest episode of The Big Podcast, O’Neal and his co-host Adam Lefkoe sat down with former NBA All-Star Zach Randolph.

O’Neal asked Randolph to name a big man that he watches today who could’ve played with them. O’Neal mentioned that determining if a player could suit up with him in his era is how he judges players.

Randolph mentioned Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle as two players who could’ve played during his era.

Lefkoe chimed in and asked if Embiid could have played during O’Neal and Randolph’s era.

“Embiid, for sure,” Randolph said. O’Neal scoffed at the remark in disbelief.

Randolph said Embiid, a Cameroon native, has “deep energy” that could translate to the court.

“Is he mean?” O’Neal asked, to which Randolph said, “He can be.”

O’Neal doesn’t believe it due to a negative interaction he once had with the 2023 NBA MVP.

“I came at him one day, and his response was, ‘Guys don’t play like that no more.'” O’Neal explained. “I’m like, motherf—–, what? The f—- you talking about? Like, bro, go inside. Punish.”

Once Shaq heard that comment from Embiid, he left the conversation in disgust. O’Neal wants Embiid to fight back more, especially in the paint.

“I’m like, trying to bully a motherf—– like, give me your lunch. ‘I would, but I’m homeless,'” O’Neal joked with Randolph. “Here, go. Go ahead, man. Get the f— home. Fight back or something.”

Shaquille O’Neal Has Been A Vocal Critic Of Joel Embiid

"Joel Embiid will never win a championship until he gets his mind and his attitude right" 👀

Shaq gives his take on Embiid's first half performance and his future 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/GQJHHVPrfK

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 13, 2024

This is not the first time O’Neal has taken a shot at Embiid.

Earlier this season, O’Neal criticized Embiid’s decision not to play back-to-back games. When Embiid did play in a game against the New York Knicks, he finished with 13 points on 2-of-11 shooting in a 111-99 loss.

O’Neal was disgusted with the effort.

“This was the fear I had for Joel Embiid. You announced arrogantly, ‘I’m not playing back-to-backs, Ernie. I’m not injured, but I’m sore. I’ll come in when I want to come back,” O’Neal said on Inside the NBA. “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 that they are having, it’s not working.”

If that wasn’t enough criticism, O’Neal made a bold declaration about Embiid’s career.

“I say this respectfully,” O’Neal said. “Joel Embiid will never win a championship until he gets his mind and his attitude right.”