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Kendrick Perkins makes ‘scary’ comparison between Joel Embiid and former New York Knicks star

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 4:01 PM ET

Kendrick Perkins believes Joel Embiid is heading in the wrong direction, and it is reminiscent of a former New York Knicks star.

Joel Embiid has become one of the NBA’s most disappointing figures. Despite his immense talent, the former MVP is almost never on the court.

Last season, Embiid played 19 games, which was his lowest appearance count since 2015-16, when he missed the entire season.

The 76ers plan on keeping Embiid and Paul George’s pairing together, at least for another season, as they try to chase an NBA championship.

Embiid is entering the 2025-26 NBA season with an injury, one that could derail his pre-season prep heading into October.

According to one NBA medical expert, Embiid’s injury might be one he can’t recover from. Well, in that same vein, Kendrick Perkins compared Joel Embiid to a legendary New York Knicks star whose career was also derailed by injuries.

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Kendrick Perkins says Joel Embiid is very similar to Amar’e Stoudemire

Kendrick Perkins spoke on the Road Trippin’ podcast recently about the Joel Embiid situation. He believes his career is headed down a dangerous path.

Perkins compared Embiid to Amar’e Stoudemire, who looked incredible at his best. But injuries ended up derailing his career, and Perkins believes the same will be said for Embiid in the years to come.

“It’s scary to me because when I’m looking at this situation with Joel Embiid, I’m saying, his prime is not like everyone else’s.

“His prime is not going to be like a Giannis or a Jokic, meaning the window. I’m looking at this, and the first thing that pops into my mind is Amar’e Stoudemire.

“Do you remember how Amar’e was up here like, ‘Oh s—, we’re looking at a guy who’s going to be that m————.

“Then all of a sudden, injuries took place. So, with these concerns coming out, I’m like, do we have a two-to-three-year window of Embiid at a high level?”

Philadelphia 76ers will keep a close eye during the 2025-26 NBA season

The Philadelphia 76ers have a big season coming up. In a depleted Eastern Conference, the 76ers have one of the strongest rosters on paper.

If things go right, they have a very good chance at competing for an NBA championship. But there is one massive problem.

The big deciding variable for the 76ers’ success is the health of Joel Embiid. And unfortunately for them, they have no control over that variable.

If Embiid fails to stay healthy for much of next season, could the 76ers consider moving on from the former MVP?

They have an exciting young core of players with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes, and VJ Edgecombe. These four players could make moving on from Embiid an easier decision.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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