Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

'There would be a religious conversation!' Healthy Joel Embiid is ‘greatest big man in history’ says Stephen A Smith

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Ubong Archibong | Last updated 4/27/24

Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 50-game performance in the win over the New York Knicks, and this led Stephen A. Smith to make a statement that has caused a strong frenzy all over the basketball community. He asserted that a fully healthy Joel Embiid would be the greatest big man in the history of the NBA.

This is a highly debatable statement, considering that the NBA possesses great centers, past and present, including the unstoppable Nikola Jokic or Shaquille O’Neal. And while both players have the distinct privilege of being NBA champions, Joel Embiid hasn’t had that honor.

This dude is one of the greatest big men to ever play the game of basketball. And if he [Joel Embiid] were healthy ... there would be a religious conversation: is this not the greatest big man we have ever seen in the history of basketball? The arsenal that this brother has, it's a crying shame that this dude is not healthy. Stephen A. Smith said via First Take

Stephen A. Smith might have a point, given that Embiid was on course to become a back-to-back MVP before his season-ending injury. Furthermore, he has been a revelation since joining the 76ers and has won an MVP win in 2023, 7 All-Star appearances, 5 All-NBA selections, and two scoring titles.

"If [Joel Embiid] were healthy … there would be religious conversation, is this not the greatest big man we have ever seen in the history of basketball?"

—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/CDFPibz0UY
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 26, 2024

Embiid is great, no doubt, but he has a lot to be called the greatest center in the NBA. He has much to prove before one can put him on the same pedestal as the great Big Shaq.

Joel Embiid reveals Bell’s palsy diagnosis

Embiid against the New York Knicks set a playoff career-high with 50 points to reduce the scoreline against the Knicks with a 125-114 victory. However, the reigning MVP revealed that he produced these stellar numbers while playing through Bell’s palsy, a condition that has affected the left side of his face.

I think it started a day or two before the Miami game [in the play-in tournament], and I had bad migraines and thought it was nothing. It's pretty annoying, you know, with the left side of my face, my mouth, and my eye. So yeah, it's been tough. Joel Embiid said in the post game presser

Joel Embiid on his battle with Bell's Palsy.

"Pretty annoying with the left side of my face, my mouth and my eye. It's been tough but I'm not a quitter… It's unfortunate… got to keep pushing.”pic.twitter.com/45OwHZCDIz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 26, 2024

Furthermore, he said the condition had affected his vision, causing it to be blurry. Despite this, he put up monstrous numbers against the Knicks, which led Stephen A. Smith to boldly declare him the greatest big man in history.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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