Perhaps it’s the LeBron James signing. Perhaps it’s just a gut feeling.
But either way, Shaquille O’Neal is all in on Joel Embiid this season, even with his extensive injury history.
On “The Stephen A. Smith” show, O’Neal said that it’s time for Embiid to “step up” but also predicted he’d stay healthy for the first time in a while.
“He better take some Tylenol, take some shots… I’ll tell you what. I’ll call it right now,” O’Neal said. “He’s going to be healthy this year.”
O’Neal didn’t just predict Embiid to be healthy. He predicted the center’s going to make a statement on a new-look 76ers squad.
“Joel Embiid is going to dominate this year. You heard it here first. Joel Embiid will be touted as the best big man in the league. He’s passing up the Joker [Nikola Jokic] this year. He’s going to work this year.”
O’Neal predicting Embiid to remain healthy is certainly a bold statement. Embiid has yet to play over 70 games in a season though he’s been in the NBA since 2014.
Embiid played in just 39 games in 2023-24, 19 in 2024-25 and 38 last season. It’s been three years since he’s played in more than 60 games.
Shaquille O’Neal on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Stephen A. Smith Show
The center has suffered just about any injury you can think of – from knee to oblique injuries – over his 12-year career.
When on the court, however, Embiid is a force.
Albeit in limited time, Embiid averaged over 30 points in a game in three straight seasons from 2021-24 and has kept the 76ers as a perennial playoff contender.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid looks on. Getty Images
Embiid won MVP in 2022-23, is a seven-time All-Star and two-time scoring champion.
With James and Jaylen Brown joining the 76ers, increased pressure is on Embiid to stay healthy and regularly contribute to a team hungry for its first title in 44 years.
And if Embiid actually stays healthy, you can probably thank O’Neal.
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