Shaquille O'Neal has made a bold prediction for Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, forecasting that the star player will not only stay healthy throughout the upcoming season but also dominate to the point of being recognized as the league's best big man, surpassing Nikola Jokic.
O'Neal shared his outlook on ESPN's "The Stephen A. Smith Show," emphasizing that Embiid needs to "step up" but expressing confidence in his ability to remain on the court. "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.”
Despite Embiid's well-documented history of injuries, which has prevented him from playing more than 70 games in any season since entering the league in 2014, O'Neal believes this season will be different. Embiid has averaged fewer than 60 games played per season for the last three years, and has dealt with a variety of ailments, including knee and oblique injuries.
When healthy, Embiid has proven to be a formidable force on the court. He averaged over 30 points per game for three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2024, even in limited appearances, and has been instrumental in the 76ers' consistent presence in the playoffs. His accolades include an MVP award in the 2022-23 season, seven All-Star selections, and two scoring titles.
O'Neal's prediction comes at a critical juncture for the 76ers, who have recently added James Harden and Jaylen Brown to their roster. The team, seeking its first NBA championship in 44 years, will rely heavily on Embiid's consistent availability and performance. O'Neal suggested that if Embiid does indeed stay healthy, the Hall of Famer might deserve some credit.
"Joel Embiid is gonna dominate this year. You heard it here first. Joel Embiid will be titled as the best big man in the league. He's passing up the Joker [Nikola Jokic] this year," O'Neal stated. "He’s going to work this year."