With all the Embiid vs Shaq talk going around social media lately, it's time to share our thoughts on the topic. For those who lack context, some have recently suggested that the Cameroonian big man he claims is more dominant than Big Diesel, which has sparked a huge debate online.
Embiid recently set a career-high and the Philadelphia 76ers scored 70 points on Victor Wimpanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. He's also riding one of the longest 30-plus point scoring streaks in NBA history, though he has missed several games due to injuries.
There is absolutely no doubt that Embiid will become one of the greatest centers in NBA history. He should be there to win the MVP award again this season, and he might even win the scoring title once again. We can draw comparisons between Embiid and Shaq, as they are the last two big men to win the award. But if we talk about dominance, who will come out on top?
Shaq or Embiid: Comparison of the two players
The stats only tell one part of the picture, but the stats favor the Sixers' big man. So far, he's averaging 27.9 points per game, compared to Shaq's 23.7. He's also slightly better in rebounds per game (11.2 to 10.9), assists per game (3.6 to 2.5), and steals per game (0.9 to 0.6). Shaq is turning up blocks per game at a rate of 2.3, compared to Embiid's 1.7.
Embiid also has a career-high (70 to Shaq's 61), and has averaged more points in a season (36.1) than Shaq did (29.7). Then again, does that mean he's more dominant than Shaq? The answer is no, not even remotely close.
We can confirm that Embiid is a more complete and better scorer, and that would make perfect sense. We all know Shaq's free throw shooting was his weakness, and he was by no means a three-point shooter, although that also had to do with the zeitgeist.
Then again, we can't ignore the fact that the rules have changed a lot since Shaq's playing days. Defense has become a lost art these days, and bad taste is rewarded. Embiid is a master at it, as he's made 12 free throws per game this season.
Don't get me wrong, bending the rules in your favor is a skill, and he deserves a lot of credit for being an 88% free throw shooter. But the difference is that he gets the calls because he's trying to get them, while Shaq was viciously hacked over and over again because it was the only way to stop him. Teams literally had to come up with a strategy to prevent Shaq from scoring. If that's not dominance, I don't know what is.
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Also, Shaq's ratings dropped dramatically later in his career because he played at least two years too many years and was just a shell of himself during those days in Boston.
Back to our thing. If we take a look at their numbers in the playoffs, Embiid often left a lot to be desired, either getting hurt or being too passive, struggling to make an impact. He even had the largest drop in points per game from the reigning playoff MVP in NBA history.
Shaq, on the other hand, was at his best when it mattered most, averaging nearly 29 points and 14 boards per game in the NBA Finals and winning three Finals MVPs. Embiid's point total is about 10 fewer than in the playoffs.
Simply put, Shaq was the most dominant physical force this game has ever seen. He was scoring nearly 30 points per game as a big man against tougher defenses and playing at a slower pace. He was also more agile than people give him credit for, and he also had elite footwork.
Shaq was more physical on both ends of the court, and he was the last player you wanted to meet in a big game. Embiid may be a better offensive force and a more versatile big man because of the era he plays in.
Some might say he's a better player, and while I don't agree with that, the numbers might back that up.
but dominant?
This is the definition of Shaquille O'Neal.
