“Shaq Would Have Struggled Against Embiid”: Dwight Howard’s Claim
Dwight Howard has no doubts about Joel Embiid: according to the former Laker, the 76ers center is the only modern player who could have seriously challenged Shaquille O’Neal
The new NBA season is almost here, and one of the hottest debates remains the question of the league’s best center. Although Nikola Jokic has an absolutely prestigious résumé, many fans and former players argue that Joel Embiid has all the qualities to be considered one of the best at his position.
The debate among fans was reignited by Dwight Howard, who recently openly praised the playing style of the Philadelphia 76ers star. According to the 2020 NBA Champion, Embiid is the only modern player who could have competed with Shaquille O’Neal at the peak of his career.
I have to give Embiid the credit he deserves. When he played against me, he was still very young, but it was clear from the start that he was special. If he had stayed healthy, I believe he would have been the only one at the time capable of really giving Shaq a hard time in a one-on-one
Dwight Howard
He knows how to play. He knows how to draw fouls. He can do all the euro-steps. He has a mid-range shot. He has the complete package. At 100% health, Joel is a problem for anyone. He could easily be in the top ten
Dwight Howard
Comparing players from different eras is always complicated and often of limited use. Howard’s words highlight Joel Embiid’s offensive abilities, but the Sixers center struggles to match up with Shaquille O’Neal.
In a hypothetical one-on-one, Embiid would certainly have a wider offensive skill set, but this remains the only aspect of the game where he could truly excel. Shaquille O’Neal, on the other hand, was very likely the best center of his generation. At his prime, the Laker was the cornerstone on both ends of the floor for the Lakers and Magic, despite his limited shooting range.
The NBA of the ’90s and 2000s was completely different: few long-range shots and a lot of physicality on both sides of the court. For this reason, Shaquille O’Neal was considered the prototype of the ideal player, perfectly suited to the demands of the era.
Without even considering other factors such as personality, leadership, competitive drive, and physical durability, Shaquille O’Neal remains one of the greatest players in NBA history, not just among centers.