Shaq Goes So Hard In The Paint On Joel Embiid For Being ‘Soft’ After Awful Performance That Ernie Johnson Calls For Mercy

Most of you reading this have picked up a basketball before Joel Embiid.

The Sixers center has gone on record saying he first picked up a basketball after being inspired by Kobe Bryant’s 2010 Finals performance. For perspective, LeBron had already been in the league seven years.

So every time I see Joel huff and puff down the court directly after showing he has what it takes to become the most dominant big man for the next decade, I have some sympathy.

But Thursday night was bad.

In a huge test against the 1st place Bucks, Embiid was 1-for-10 from the field in the first 10 minutes, finishing 6-26 with 19 points in 33 minutes in the Sixers fourth consecutive loss. Joel, who is a 7-footer, also shot 10 three pointers for some reason, converting on just one.

Shaq, who has taken aim at the 25-year-old’s lackadaisical play before, pulled no punches.

“When you go 1 for 10, it ain’t your coach’s fault, it ain’t your teammates’ fault, it’s your fault, period,” O’Neal said.

Shaq was alluding to Embiid’s comments Wednesday about having to “sacrifice a lot.” He also said  “hard to find that balance” because the Sixers don’t yet have an offensive identity halfway through the season.

Charles was equally as ruthless, calling the Sixers the “Cleveland Browns of the NBA.”

Best of luck to Embiid, Simmons, and Odell going forward.