While the league and the player’s association reached a 65-game compromise for all major awards to ensure a lack of load management, the results haven’t been ideal. Due to players pushing themselves beyond the limit, long-term injuries and health scares are piling up. But, the biggest blow might have come to Joel Embiid. On the verge of a second-straight MVP, a torn meniscus might put him out for an indefinite time, effectively shutting him out of the race. However, for Shaquille O’Neal, those standards weren’t good enough.

While he could understand the importance of the rule, O’Neal believes some exceptions need to be made. “I think there should be certain limits. Somebody fell on his knee, it’s not his fault…The way he was playing, that’s not his fault. I agree with Chuck [Charles Barkley], the whole load management.” However, a freak incident is where he draws the line.

Instead, he would compare it to his MVP year when he played in 65 games, after coming down and busting his kneecap. So, he wants a slight caveat in the rule for freak injuries or incidents. When Ernie Johnson offered a compromise, stating that the 2nd and 3rd team All-NBA’s could do without the limit, Shaq wasn’t willing to budge. “A guy falls on my knee and I miss 20 games and you’re gonna make me second-team…He fell on my damn knee.” 

Despite the arguments from both sides, the impact on Embiid and his season wasn’t lost on anyone.

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Shaquille O’Neal and the crew put Joel Embiid’s season in perspective

Firstly, it was the Los Angeles Lakers legend who took the baton after defending him for the MVP award. “I love the way he was playing, he’s been in a groove all year. Hopefully, it’s not as bad as what’s been reported. But, I mean, I feel for the kid…Coz he was the clear-cut MVP for this year.”

Despite standing against the idea of game count, even Charles Barkley, who’s been having an emotional night it seems, was on the side of JoJo. “Meniscus are tricky. I had a meniscus one time, and I played in a couple of weeks. I’ve seen guys miss a month or two. So, we gotta wait and see the results. But, it’s a devastating injury. The Sixers, without him, might be a lottery team, that’s how great he is. I hope he’s not out an extended period of time.”

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With the hopes of the Philadelphia 76ers hanging in the balance, can Joel make a miraculous comeback? We know the crew and the basketball world are rooting for him.

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