If Joel Embiid was looking for some sympathy over the illness he’s trying to play through in the Eastern Conference semifinals, he’s not getting it from the TNT crew.
During halftime of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 125-89 loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their playoff series on Tuesday night, Shaq and Charles Barkley gave the Sixers big man zero leeway for his poor play.
"If you want people to remember The Process forever, you've got to step up."
Shaq & Chuck share their concerns with Joel Embiid pic.twitter.com/KEugaVqAik
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 8, 2019
“I don’t want to hear no excuses,” Shaq said. “If you want to get to the championship, if you want people to remember ‘The Process’ forever, you gotta step up. Five points is unacceptable. During the regular season he’s averaging 28. He’s now averaging 18. He’s not stepping up to the challenge.”
Embiid had five points at halftime and finished with 13 in 31 minutes. He was showing on the team’s bench just how sick he was:
Joel Embiid is having a rough time on the 76ers bench. pic.twitter.com/IlWRYo5zLY
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) May 8, 2019
Barkley said Embiid’s body language is a drain on the Sixers and that his complaints are a negative for the team’s energy.
Much has been made about Embiid’s status. He had to get an IV before Game 2 of the series and was sick before Game 4, to the point his coach says they’re grateful he’s playing at all. Shaq and Chuck don’t want to hear about it as long as Embiid is playing.
