Shaq Believes Joel Embiid-Less Sixers Can't Defeat Hawks in NBA Playoffs

NBA Legend Shaq believes the Sixers don't stand a chance against the Hawks without Joel Embiid on the floor.
Shaq Believes Joel Embiid-Less Sixers Can't Defeat Hawks in NBA Playoffs
Shaq Believes Joel Embiid-Less Sixers Can't Defeat Hawks in NBA Playoffs /

The Philadelphia 76ers have advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs for the third time in four seasons. After taking out the Washington Wizards in five games on Wednesday, the Sixers watched as the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks battled it out for a Game 5 of their own.

With a Hawks victory on Wednesday, the second-round matchup was set. The first-seeded Sixers will face the fifth-seeded Hawks. Typically, a first seed would unquestionably be favored over a fifth seed for a playoff series, but spectators and analysts have their reserves about Philly this time around.

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is among those who are skeptical about the Sixers' ability to win a seven-game series against the Hawks without Joel Embiid on the floor. As the big man was diagnosed with a small meniscus tear earlier in the week, his status moving forward is unknown at the moment.

Therefore, Shaq is positive the Sixers wouldn't win a series if Embiid is out. 

"Without Joel Embiid, in my opinion, that's a pick em' series," said former NBA great Charles Barkley. "No, it's not," Shaq responded quickly. "It's Hawks in five. Write it down. Without Joel Embiid for the whole series. . . Hawks in five."

Without Embiid, the Sixers are certainly a weaker team. That shouldn't come as a surprise since any team that loses an MVP finalist would certainly see more struggles while missing their best player on the court.

But the 76ers can win games without the big man. Sure, the Hawks series looks a lot tougher when the best player between both rosters is out for Philly, but the 76ers have tons of talent and playoff experience on board. They can survive without Embiid, and they might not have to do it all without him anyway, depending on how his recovery goes over the next few days. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_ & Instagram: @JGrassoNBA.


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA