Shaq doubles down with challenging demand for Joel Embiid after 76ers-LeBron James signing

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2026-27 NBA season with championship expectations after signing LeBron James, and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal believes the pressure now falls squarely on former MVP Joel Embiid.

O’Neal reiterated his confidence in Embiid while making it clear the star center must elevate his game during a recent appearance on The Old Man and The Three podcast with Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson.

“I’m putting all the pressure on Joel. Joel has to step up. I don’t want to see no jumpshot shooting Joel, I don’t want to see ‘my knees hurting.'”

O’Neal emphasized that Embiid’s health will determine whether Philadelphia can maximize its championship window alongside James.

“I just did the Stephen A. show before I did y’all and Stephen A. said he missed 150 games in three years. Damn… He’s gonna have to come in healthy. Hopefully he can stay healthy but I want to see him dominate because I remember two or three years ago, we were putting him and Joker real close as the best big man in the league. And he kind of had the edge even though Joker won the MVP but Joker is just leading with that title now – the best big man in the league.”

“I’m putting all the pressure on Joel … I don’t want to see ‘my knees hurting’ … I want to see him dominate” — @shaq says Joel Embiid is the key to the Sixers success even with adding LeBron + Jaylen Brown pic.twitter.com/3D64cexfbs

— TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) July 29, 2026

Shaquille O’Neal believes Joel Embiid can reclaim the NBA’s best big man title

O’Neal’s comments echoed the prediction he recently made on The Stephen A. Smith Show, where he backed Embiid to reclaim the title of the NBA’s premier center.

“I’m calling it right now. He’s going to be healthy this year. Joel Embiid is going to dominate this year. You heard it here first.

Joel Embiid will be the best big man in the league. He’s passing up the Joker this year. He’s going to work this year.”

With James joining Embiid in Philadelphia, the 76ers possess one of the league’s most talented rosters. O’Neal’s challenge reflects the heightened expectations surrounding Embiid as Philadelphia pursues an NBA championship with two former MVPs leading the way.

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