'Charles Barkley, great player' - Veteran Joel Embiid rejects ring as a parameter of player's greatness in NBA
Do rings determine the greatness of a player? Joel Embiid addressed this question in a recent interview with ESPN. The Philadelphia 76ers' veteran did not go with the idea of rings as a determinant of a player's greatness.
Citing the classic example of
Charles Barkley
, he said that the legend is great despite the fact that he never won a ring.
Joel Embiid also shared how he has grown as a leader. He attributed his leadership style to personal struggles and said that his game does all the talking for him.
Joel Embiid doesn't consider ring a parameter of greatness
Joel Embiid's trainer Drew Hanlen on the NBA's 65-game rule, ring culture & Nikola Jokic vs. Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers' veteran Joel Embiid sat down for an interview with ESPN's Dotun Akintoye. Hard to crack always, but he showed his different side and spoke at length on various issues, including ring culture. Is ring a correct determiner of success? He firmly rejected this narrative, saying:
'No one is a winner until they've done it.
I'm fine with that narrative because I haven't done it. Charles Barkley, great player, right? But he never won. [Allen Iverson] never won. ... But that doesn't mean they weren't great. They were amazing.'
Joel Embiid, the NBA MVP for 2022-2023, considers his contribution to the team as a real indicator of greatness in basketball. When asked to comment on media narratives that said he cared too much about individual awards, he refuted it right away, saying:
"If you are in a position to win an MVP, I don't care who you are, you're going after it because I never believed I would be in this position, first of all.
Second of all, when I got in the league, I thought, 'Yeah, maybe I'll have a chance to be a great defensive player.' I never thought I was going to be this good offensively."
He further said, "You're basically saying that he's playing harder in the regular season than he's playing in the playoffs, which doesn't make sense because if you look at the minutes, the minutes rise. And you're playing harder. And you do more on both ends of the floor."
Joel Embiid explained evolution in his leadership style
Joel Embiid also talked about people's perception of him as a leader. He said that the perception is changing with time. Talking about how his leadership has evolved, he said:
'If you ask my teammates now, they'll tell you a way different story than my teammates a couple of years ago, because years ago, I was nowhere to be found.'
He shared that he proved his supremacy on the hardwood with his play. The one-time MVP is often seen on the bench due to injuries, which have often limited his appearances.
A lack of consistency has pushed him back to the queue of great players. According to him, it is a player's luck and health that guides the capability to deliver in terms of minutes and numbers.
Joel Embiid addressed allegations of being an excuse maker
In the same interview, he also addressed various media narratives floating around him. One of the most controversial ones was that he makes excuses. Sharing his viewpoint on the same, he said:
'It's not making excuses. When you're hurt every year and everybody knows it, it's the truth," he says.
"Now, do you believe, if he was 100 percent, does he have what it takes to have a chance at winning? I think a lot of people believe that because I've shown it in the regular season when I was healthy."
He continued, "What if I did this and I was like, 'You know what? I'm just going to chill all season and coast and average 25? Or 20.' And in the playoffs, I go average 30. Would that make me look great? Probably. If I went from averaging 23 to 30 -- a playoff riser.
Oh, my God. Joel Jordan. Whatever.'
Joel Embiid Reacts to Emotional MVP Speech, Celtics vs. 76ers Series & James Harden Message
He further said, "The Brooklyn series two years ago is a perfect example. Double me everywhere. Half court, as soon as I had the ball, that coach was like, 'Go get it.' And guess what? I was fine with it because we kicked the ball out, we made shots, and we won. But guess what it did? It lowered the stats.
"So, if that's the narrative that's out there, I'm OK with that because I know what I'm going through and I know what's going on.
And no one is in my body to understand what I'm going through."
Joel Embiid has averaged 27.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.7 assists from 452 games played in his career. He is known for exceptional defense and experience. The 76ers' star appeared at 66th position in Bleacher Report's NBA All-time Top Players list.
Also Read:
James Harden and Joel Embiid No Longer on Speaking Terms Following 76ers Split - Deep NBA Shortcomings Revealed
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shaquille O'Neal predicts how long new couple Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion will last
Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson (Image credit: Getty Images) Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Klay Thompson and rapper Megan Thee Stallion are yet to complete even a month of their relationship, but the couple is already painting the town red with love. On one hand, they've taken things to the next level by merging their workout routines. On the other, NBA veteran Shaquille O'Neal has made a rather disappointing prediction about their relationship timeline. Shaquille O'Neal gives a timeline for Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion's relationship During his The Big Podcast with Shaq, Shaquille O'Neal gave an expiry date to Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion's relationship. When asked how long he thinks the couple will last, Shaq replied, 'Six weeks, the line is six weeks.' Boxing legend Mike Tyson, who was also a guest on the podcast, seemed to disagree. 'That might last a long time. You know, six weeks ain't nothing. She got that shot. So you've got to give her some credit. You got to give a little credit that he might got some staying power,' Tyson said. Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion paint the town red Megan Thee Stallion let the cat out of the bag when she included Klay Thompson in one of her Instagram pictures. Just days later, the couple appeared together on the red carpet at the Pete and Thomas Foundation Gala in New York. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Inside glimpses from the event showed Thompson and Stallion seated side by side at a round table. While Stallion was fully engaged and made her presence felt at the event, Thompson kept a lower profile and has yet to speak publicly about the relationship. He did, however, show off an expensive watch reportedly gifted by his new girlfriend. Meanwhile, Megan Thee Stallion was full of love and praise for Thompson while speaking on the red carpet. She told PageSix, 'This is my first relationship where I've ever been with somebody who's genuinely a nice person, and he makes me genuinely happy. I just never dated somebody like him before, and I'm just grateful that he's here by my side and he feels the same way about me.' Also Read: Klay Thompson and fiancee Megan Thee Stallion take couple goals to the gym, end session with a kiss Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion's previous relationships Klay Thompson, 35, previously dated American actor and model Laura Harrier before they parted ways in 2020. Megan Thee Stallion, 30, is a Grammy Award-winning rapper. She dated rapper Pardison Fontaine until their breakup in 2023, and was later briefly linked to NBA player Torrey Craig. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 hours ago
- First Post
Lawyer says lawsuit is over between ex-NFL star Shannon Sharpe and woman who accused him of rape
The woman first met Sharpe at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20, and a nearly two-year relationship followed, according to the lawsuit read more NFL Hall of Fame member Shannon Sharpe has resolved a lawsuit that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman during their relationship, her attorney said Friday. 'All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice,' Tony Buzbee said on X, meaning the lawsuit can't be refiled. No details were released. The lawsuit had sought $50 million. Sharpe called the allegations 'false and disruptive' when the lawsuit was filed in April in Clark County, Nevada. He stepped away from work at ESPN at the time but had pledged to return by the start of the NFL preseason. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A phone message seeking comment from Sharpe's attorney, David Chesnoff, wasn't immediately returned Friday. The woman first met Sharpe at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20, and a nearly two-year relationship followed, according to the lawsuit. Sharpe, 57, was accused of raping the woman in October 2024 and in January. 'Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,' Buzbee said. 'After protracted and respectful negotiations, I'm pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution.' Sharpe was a four-time All-Pro tight end who played on two Super Bowl-winning teams with Denver and one with Baltimore over 14 seasons from 1990 to 2003. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Sharpe retired as the NFL's all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (815), yards receiving (10,060) and touchdowns (62). Those records have been broken. Sharpe has been a staple on TV and social media since retiring. He left FS1's sports debate show 'Undisputed' in 2023 and joined ESPN soon afterward.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Could Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo Team Up With $215,159,700 Atlanta Hawks to Improve Title Odds?
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image via USA Today) In a bold trade proposal that has the potential to shake up the NBA landscape, the Atlanta Hawks have been linked to a blockbuster deal that would land them two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks . The trade idea, first floated by Connor Thoms of Bleacher Report, suggests Atlanta could be an unexpected suitor for the Greek Freak, especially in a rapidly changing Eastern Conference. Proposed Trade Breakdown Here's how the trade would look according to Thoms' hypothetical scenario: Atlanta Hawks Receive Milwaukee Bucks Receive Giannis Antetokounmpo Jalen Johnson Zaccharie Risacher Kobe Bufkin Four first-round picks One pick swap This package gives Milwaukee a mix of promising young players and future draft capital, while Atlanta forms a formidable 'Big 3' with Antetokounmpo joining All-Stars Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis. Eastern Conference Shake-Up Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image via Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images) If executed, this deal would dramatically alter the balance of power in the East. With Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton and Boston's Jayson Tatum both expected to miss the upcoming season due to injuries, the door is open for a new contender to rise. Pairing Giannis with Trae and Porzingis offers Atlanta a lethal combination of speed, size, and shot-making that could push them deep into the playoffs. Antetokounmpo's Uncertain Future According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly 'open-minded' about leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready for a Glow-Up? [Get Your Reading Now] Undo Glow-Up Packages from $15 [Sign Up] Undo Affect Your Future Now! (Book Today) Undo That openness comes after the Bucks' disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, who dispatched them in five games. Ashish Mathur, who reported on the trade idea for NBA Analysis Network, emphasized the weight of such a move: 'It will be intriguing to see if Antetokounmpo stays with Milwaukee or requests a trade.' Giannis has been loyal to Milwaukee since being selected 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. Over his 12 seasons with the Bucks, he's helped transform the franchise into a perennial playoff team and led them to an NBA title in 2021. Bucks' Recent Moves Signal Change Since their playoff exit, the Bucks have been active in retooling their roster: - Waived and stretched Damian Lillard - Signed Myles Turner and Gary Harris - Re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims Despite these moves, Milwaukee doesn't currently look like a true title contender, prompting growing speculation that a Giannis trade may become a reality. Giannis Antetokounmpo by the Numbers The Greek Freak remains one of the league's most dominant forces. Last season, he earned All-NBA First Team honors while posting monster stats: Stat Category 2024-2025 Season Average Points 30.4 Rebounds 11.9 Assists 6.5 Steals 0.9 Blocks 1.2 He's also locked into a lucrative three-year, $175 million extension signed in 2023, with a salary of $54.1 million for the upcoming season. A Hall of Fame Trajectory Already etched in NBA history, Antetokounmpo's resume includes: - 2× MVP - 1× NBA Finals MVP - 1× Defensive Player of the Year - 9× All-Star - 2021 NBA Champion With career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, Giannis is all but guaranteed to be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. While this trade remains hypothetical, it underlines a major question heading into the 2025-26 season: will Giannis remain loyal to Milwaukee, or is it finally time for a new chapter? Also read: NBA Trade News: Los Angeles Lakers Sign Marcus Smart with a $11 Million Deal; High-Stakes Move for Defensive Reinforcement With Atlanta positioning itself as a bold contender and the Bucks seemingly at a crossroads, the NBA world will be watching closely. Would Giannis actually leave the only NBA home he's ever known to chase another ring in Atlanta? Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
