75 days.

That’s how long it’s been since Joel Embiid suited up for a game, the last being when he helped Team USA clinch the gold. The team had already made it clear that their franchise superstar wouldn’t be playing any preseason games. And that was okay (almost) because the real battle starts once the regular season begins, doesn’t it? To the dismay of everyone, however, the big man was absent for the much-anticipated season opener against Milwaukee as well. The reason?

“Left knee injury management.” Or at least, that’s what the team cited for ruling him out. Needless to say, confirming the rumors, the NBA immediately took action and launched an investigation to get to the roots of the matter. It is under such circumstances that Shaquille O’Neal – himself a big man and one of the most dominant centers in league history – gave his take on the matter.

And per the former 4x champ, these injuries that befall Joel Embiid can only be termed “freak injuries.” And why was that? When Ernie Johnson asked if the extra caution was so that Joel could be ready for the playoffs, Shaq said, “No!”

“You remember he was playing great [last season] and somebody ran into his knee. That’s a freak injury. You can’t foresee that. So, my point is, you can’t be afraid of the injuries,” he explained further. And just in case it did not clarify things, the ‘Big Diesel’ used his own example from his playing days.

“Some accidents you can prevent, but you can never prevent freak accidents. I missed 200 games for my injuries. It was Matt Geiger, breaking my hand. Big Baby breaking my hand. I went up for a lob one time, came down on my knee, and had to sit out 6 weeks. One time I got a dunk, and I did the Merton Hanks like that. I pulled two stomach muscles,” the hoops legend revealed in the latest episode of TNT’s Tip-Off, the whole crew laughing at the last part.

Big Diesel’s reference to his injury caused by Matt Geiger dates back to a preseason game in October 1995. During this game, the Magic star injured his thumb when Geiger delivered what Shaq described as a deliberate “chop” to his hand while attempting a move to the basket. He ended up needing surgery for a broken right thumb, which sidelined him for 6-8 weeks.

The second time, too, it was a battle for the ball, and this time, it was with the Celtics’ Glen “Baby” Davis. In an interview with Sportscasting, he mentioned the topic, because even now, the 15x All-Star believes had he stayed healthy, the Cavs would have won the 2010 title. “Big Baby (Glen Davis), who could never stop me, did hack-a-Shaq. And as soon as I grabbed the ball, I couldn’t feel my thumb; I had that injury before; I knew my hand was broke,” he revealed.

And for the final one, it’s not an occurrence that’s been widely covered but has nonetheless become a part of Shaq’s stories often. The ex-49ers’ Merton Hanks and his “chicken dance” was one that many have impersonated. While no one got injured with it, Shaq did.

As the big man pointed out, “freak injury!” with his panelists laughing uncontrollably.

However, it never stopped him from giving his all on the court. Every game he played, Shaquille O’Neal left everything on the floor and that’s why the man is a perennial NBA star. An aspect Joel Embiid might have to follow if he hopes to leave behind a lasting legacy.

But as things stand, Shaquille O’Neal’s colleague and Sixers legend, Charles Barkley is critical of the franchise and its star player for their questionable decisions.

Charles Barkley doubles down on Sixers’ Joel Embiid “stupidity”

Yup, ‘Sir Charles’ sticks to his opinion of being disappointed in the franchise he played for seven years and their star player. But this time, he was quite vocal about what he termed the Sixers’ “stupidity.” And particularly considering two major aspects – the lucrative three-year $193 million contract Joel Embiid signed and the fact that they have the best backup in the league in Andre Drummond.

“Now, listen, I want to get this number right because this is crazy. And bless the kid. No. 1- he just signed for three years, $193 million. Three years, $193 million to play basketball,” he repeated, making sure everyone realized just how great that amount was.

“We’re not steelworkers. We’re not nurses. Like people who got, like, real jobs, who have to work 40 or 50 hours a week. We’re playing basketball, at the most 4 days a week, most of the time, three days a week,” the ’93 MVP added, emphasizing that professional athletes, especially those earning such significant amounts, as opposed to traditional jobs that require more effort and hours, should be held to high-performance standards and a greater sense of commitment.

Moving to the second aspect, Barkley once again suggests playing a strategic yet beneficial move for both Joel Embiid and Philly. “He has the best backup in the league – Andre Drummond. If they had to say it, they could say, ‘I’m going to play 25 minutes on the second night or back-to-back or Drummond plays.’ But to come out and say it in advance was a stupidity by the Sixers. Period,” Chuck stated during the same TNT panel discussion.

Clearly, the former 11x All-Star’s comments reflect his disappointment and a desire for more clarity and accountability in how the organization handles its star player. Especially with regard to balancing health and performance. A sentiment, no doubt, many share.

Do you share the same sentiment, though? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments.