Shaquille O'Neal Blasts 76ers Star Joel Embiid in Blunt Exchange: 'I'm Done'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 10:14 PM ET

NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal said on the latest episode of his The Big Podcast with Shaq that he uses one measurement to gauge how good a center is in the modern NBA -- could he have played in my era?

"If they could play with us, I give them some props," said O'Neal.

Naturally, the next question for the 2000 NBA MVP was which big men in today's NBA could play during O'Neal's era. Guest and former NBA All-Star center Zach Randolph answered Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

O'Neal, though, didn't agree. The four-time NBA champion made a face and sound in disagreement to Embiid's name.

O'Neal then explained that one interaction he had with Embiid proved to him the 76ers center wouldn't have been successful in the league 25 years ago.

"I came at him one day, and his response was 'Guys don't play like that no more.' I'm like (expletive). What the (expletive) you talking about?

"Like, bro. Go inside. Punish. 'Oh, guys don't play like that no more.'

"I was like, 'I'm done even talking to you.'"

Shaq on how Joel Embiid plays basketball:

“I would give you my lunch but I’m homeless and I might die today.”

NEW EPISODE ft. Zach Randolph is LIVE: https://t.co/r3YgRJkxr2 pic.twitter.com/VJUtv67AmX
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) June 19, 2025

Embiid is certainly part of the new generation of centers who shoot far more on the outside. The 76ers star has averaged 3.5 3-point attempts per game throughout his career.

When Embiid won league MVP in 2023, he shot 33% from the 3-point line while leading the league with 33.1 points per game.

O'Neal never took a 3-pointer in his entire 19-year career. But he dominated inside, which led to O'Neal leading the NBA in shooting percentage 10 times.

Overall, it's just two different philosophies, and both Embiid or O'Neal have great points.

Embiid is right that it's not as common for centers to punish defenders inside the paint. But that doesn't mean points in the paint can't still be a very valuable attribute in today's NBA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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