With all of the Embiid vs Shaq discuss that has been round social media currently, it’s time we share our ideas on the matter. For many who lack context, lately, some have steered the Cameroonian massive man claimed is extra dominant than the Massive Diesel, which clearly fueled an enormous debate on-line.
Embiid is contemporary off posting a career-high and Philadelphia 76ers’ file 70 factors on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. He’s additionally using one of many longest streaks of scoring 30+ factors in NBA historical past, though he did miss a number of video games with accidents.
There’s completely little doubt that Embiid goes to go down as one of many greatest centers in NBA history. He needs to be proper there to win MVP once more this season, and he may additionally win the scoring title once more. We may get the Embiid comparisons with Shaq then, as they’re the final two massive males to win the award. But when we discuss dominance, who comes out on prime?
Shaq or Embiid: Participant comparability
Stats solely inform one a part of the image, however stats do favor the Sixers’ massive man. So far, he averages 27.9 factors per recreation, in comparison with Shaq’s 23.7. He’s additionally barely higher in rebounds per recreation (11.2 to 10.9), assists per recreation (3.6 to 2.5), and steals per recreation (0.9 to 0.6). Shaq clears him in blocks per recreation at 2.3, in comparison with Embiid’s 1.7.
Embiid additionally has the next career-high (70 to Shaq’s 61), and has averaged extra factors in a single season (36.1) than Shaq ever did (29.7). Then once more, does that imply he’s extra dominant than Shaq? The reply is not any, not even remotely shut.
We may make some extent for Embiid being a extra full and higher scorer, and that might make excellent sense. Everyone knows Shaq’s free-throw taking pictures was his Achilles heel, and he wasn’t a three-point shooter by any means, though that additionally needed to do with the zeitgeist.
Then once more, we can’t ignore the truth that guidelines have modified loads since Shaq’s taking part in days. Protection is a misplaced artwork these days, and foul-baiting is rewarded. Embiid is a grasp at that, taking on 12 free-throws per recreation this season.
Don’t get me improper, bending the foundations in your favor is a ability, and he does deserve numerous credit score for being an 88% free-throw shooter. However the distinction is that he’s getting the calls as a result of he tries to get them, whereas Shaq was hacked viciously again and again as a result of it was the one approach to cease him. Groups actually needed to give you a technique to maintain Shaq from scoring. If that’s not dominance, then I don’t know what it’s.
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Additionally, Shaq’s averages took an enormous dip later in his profession as a result of he performed for not less than two years greater than he ought to’ve, and he was a shell of himself throughout these days in Boston.
Again to our factor. If we check out their numbers within the playoffs, Embiid has usually left loads to be desired, both being damage or method too passive, and struggling to make an affect. He even had the most important drop-off in factors per recreation from a reining MVP within the playoffs in NBA historical past.
Shaq, however, was at his finest on the most important occasions, averaging nearly 29 factors and 14 boards per recreation within the NBA Finals and successful 3 Finals MVPs. Embiid’s scoring totals are nearly 10 factors decrease within the plaoyffs.
Merely put, Shaq was essentially the most dominant bodily power this recreation has ever seen. He was placing up nearly 30 factors per recreation as an enormous man towards harder defenses and taking part in at a slower tempo. Additionally, he was extra swish than folks give him credit score for, and he additionally had an elite footwork.
Shaq was extra bodily imposing on each ends of the ground, and the final participant you wished to come back throughout in an enormous recreation. Maybe Embiid could be a greater offensive power and a extra versatile massive man due to the period he performs in.
Some would possibly even say he’s a greater participant, and whereas I don’t agree, numbers may again it up.
However DOMINANT?
That’s the definition of Shaquille O’Neal.
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