Joel Embiid is a proven modern star, which has led to thinking about him playing in previous eras. As a star in the 1990s and 2000s, Shaquille O’Neal gave his opinion.
Through the years, the NBA has found its fair share of elite centers. Most people would point out Nikola Jokic, who is a three-time MVP and a Finals MVP in 2023. His chief rival has been Joel Embiid, another elite center, who also has a regular-season MVP.
Jokic and Embiid are the best modern big men, so comparisons with past stars are common. Some people even make hypothetical situations about the duo playing in past generations. This includes Shaquille O’Neal and Zach Randolph, who were discussing this topic.
While O’Neal appreciates what Embiid has done, he does not think he would do well in the 2000s. During the podcast episode, O’Neal and Randolph were talking about the players they feel would thrive in their era. Randolph brought up Ivica Zubac, Julius Randle, and Embiid in the discussion.
Shaq scoffed at Embiid because he feels the 2023 MVP cannot compare to players like O’Neal and Tim Duncan. That might be a disingenuous perspective because Embiid has proven himself as a top star. He has thrived despite the many injury issues he has endured.
He also has the skill set to thrive in the 2000s, an era where he could be a superstar center. Unfortunately, O’Neal soured on Embiid when they had a conversation about physicality in the 2000s.
He once said that Embiid would not win a championship, a point he kept reiterating.
“Is he mean? Because I came out one day, and his response was ‘Guys don’t play like that no more. I was like, what?’
“What are you talking about? Bro, go inside. Punish. I was like I’m done even talking to you,” Shaq said on his Big Pod.
Randolph defended his opinion about Embiid, as he feels the former MVP would have thrived. He has the physicality, size, and skill set to be one of the best in that era of NBA basketball.
As basketball continues to evolve, players will become more skilled. If Embiid entered the NBA in previous decades, he would have been similar to O’Neal or Hakeem Olajuwon. He would not be shooting three-pointers because his game would primarily be in the paint and mid-range area.
However, Embiid worked on his game to fit into the modern style. It has worked out for him individually, as evidenced by his All-NBA nods, All-Star Game appearances, and MVP.
He does not need to prove himself to people from the past, like O’Neal. Of course, his recent performances have fallen off, but he is still a tremendous talent.
Most modern centers would thrive in that era because they are more skilled than players from that era. They might not overpower players like O’Neal, but they are good enough to make a significant impact. Embiid is only one modern-day center, but there are more who could have been great in any era.
