The lights are bright in Philadelphia, especially for early MVP candidate, Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian center is averaging 41.4 points and nearly 13 rebounds in December and let’s not forget there are 5 more Sixers games left before the new year. With performances like this, many believe Embiid is already one of the best centers in NBA history. However, Shaquille O’Neal did not believe so easily in February last year when Embiid had made a big statement about his gameplay. Embiid shared with the media that he was capable of being Shaq whenever he wanted and he could also be Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, or Michael Jordan.

Well, the Big Aristotle appreciated Embiid, but denied his statement, “He knows he can’t just become Shaq, Dirk, Kobe or MJ at any time“. However, after his 51-point game against the Wolves yesterday, the 2023 NBA MVP is just two dominant games away from tying the Los Angeles Lakers legend in an impressive record. In a list with Wilt Chamberlin and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the top, Shaq holds the 6th place for the most games with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds. The 4-time champion has 43 such games and Embiid is now at 41.

An updated, complete list via @EliasSports is below:

1. Wilt Chamberlain – 271
2. Elgin Baylor – 81
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 65
4. Bob McAdoo – 55
5. Bob Pettit – 45
6. Shaquille O'Neal – 43
7. Joel Embiid – 41

— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) December 21, 2023

By the end of his career, the 29-year-old can easily overtake Shaq and a few legends above him like Bob McAdoo and Bob Pettit. Abdul-Jabbar holds the third place with 65 games, which could be a harder milestone for the Cameroonian 7-footer.

While this excellence from Embiid is to be appreciated, his NBA resume does not boast a championship yet. The ‘Process’ has been on for a few years, but has failed every time, right before the conference finals. It was another instance when O’Neal shared some harsh feedback about the center.

Shaquille O’Neal criticized Joel Embiid’s lack of responsibility after playoff fumble 

The Philadelphia 76ers have fumbled several times in playoffs, but the last time it happened, Joel Embiid decided to blame his teammates. After a game 7 loss against the Boston Celtics in the Conference Semi-Finals, he confessed, “Me and James Harden can’t do it by ourselves.”

Watch this story: “Kawhi Leonard disregards career best stretch for a bigger picture”

Well, Shaquille O’Neal decided to call Embiid out. The 2000 NBA MVP shared, “He’s 6-11, he’s not posting up. He’s shooting jumpers…Get your big a** down in the paint. If you get your big a** down in the paint, you can do it by yourself. But that’s not how people play anymore.”

In addition to this, Shaq did not hesitate to choose Nikola Jokic as a better center over Joel Embiid. A few months later now, the 2-way sensation is just a few games away from surpassing O’Neal on 40-10 games.

Does this put Joel Embiid in the same conversation as Shaquille O’Neal now? Share your take in the comments below.