NY Times: Joel Embiid thinks he could have been the GOAT if it weren't for injuries.

[Nate505]

No way. He's never shown any inclination of being a fierce competitor or having the mental toughness to win multiple titles. In fact, he seems like the opposite. Look at how he wusses out when playing in Denver every year.

[Roy T]

He's clearly the best player in the NBA when healthy.

Get the **** outta here.

He isnt the best at his position when healthy.

[bkkrh]

Sam Bowie could have been the GOAT, Len Bias could have been the GOAT, Greg Oden could have been the GOAT. It's one of those what if questions you can't really answer. From a talent perspective definitely, but health is a big factor in that discussion as well.

Jordan could affort to "retire" for almost 5 seasons before his final retirement because he only had 1 major injury his whole career, so there is more than enough proof that he can be constantly the best player while constantly playing. Same goes for all other players that normally get or were at one point considered to be in the GOAT category (LeBron, Kareem, Wilt, Magic, Bird, Russell).

To me he didn't have a "complete" season until now. He averages more minutes now the last few years, which is generally a positive sign, but he still hasn't even reached 70 games one season yet. Sitting out 15-20% of games each season definitely is benefitial, especially considering how many great players constantly played hurt for major parts of the season.

[Sharkboy242]

lmao

[stoo]

man i'm so glad i'm not a philly fan

[eyeatoma]

We have large body of evidence from 7 years, and 34 games from intermittent period, I'd value the large body of evidnce more.
He played 7 times against teams in the top 4 in each conference, that's 7 out of 23, 30% of possible tough matchups.

He also dropped 50 on the top defense in the league and the future DPOY (Wolves) and had a great record against the best defenses in the league when he did play. He also dropped 70 on arguablly a better defender than Gobert (Wemby).

Embiid beat:

Wolves
OKC
Magic
Celtics
Denver

If you are bringing up regular season games you already lost the argument lol

He was referring to the regular season, so I'm responding.

[og15]

Part of being in the GOAT convo in sports is having a body that can handle the requirements.

Embiid didn't just start getting injured in the NBA. He has been consistently injured his whole basketball career.

I don't believe he would have had GOAT potential because I don't believe there's a timeline where the same human does not suffer injuries.

[stoo]

man in his prime who is barely top 5 during a single season, says this. it's ridiculous and not even funny. he should team up with KAT and start a dynasty

[eyeatoma]

Part of being in the GOAT convo in sports is having a body that can handle the requirements.

Embiid didn't just start getting injured in the NBA. He has been consistently injured his whole basketball career.

I don't believe he would have had GOAT potential because I don't believe there's a timeline where the same human does not suffer injuries.

And in spite of that is as good as he is. That's pretty remarkable, and lends credence to the what if. Which doesn't apply to some of the other players people compare him to, because they didn't win MVP, or were on pace for the GOAT regular season.

[azcatz11]

Part of being in the GOAT convo in sports is having a body that can handle the requirements.

Embiid didn't just start getting injured in the NBA. He has been consistently injured his whole basketball career.

I don't believe he would have had GOAT potential because I don't believe there's a timeline where the same human does not suffer injuries.

Assuming health - he has an argument however. Maybe stamina also because his stamina is not incredible so disregarding those two items and he could have been. What weaknesses does he have?

[stoo]

just compare him to a 40 years old lebron in these friendlies, ,and one can see that he is not that good of a player period. big body with a decent midrange will always score enough points. especially if flops all the time. usa will be happy if he doesn't injure more than one of his teammates during the next 3 weeks

[eyeatoma]

No way. He's never shown any inclination of being a fierce competitor or having the mental toughness to win multiple titles. In fact, he seems like the opposite. Look at how he wusses out when playing in Denver every year.

Yeah he clearly wusses out, which is why he looked like a totally different player after skipping that game. Hmm, might be because he was actually hurt.

Dig deeper, and he's been hurt every time he's had to play Denver in Colorado, because that is the usual time he gets some sort of injury. The longer the season goes the higher the likelihood he gets hurt unfortunately. Denver home games against Philly are usually scheduled right before or after all star break.

[Zeno]

I’m not a big Embiid fan in fact I pretty much hate him but I think he’s right. There are way more players in the league than people care to admit that had the potential if everything went their way to be in the Goat conversation.

[ropjhk]

He lacked the maturity to be the GOAT. Unless brain damage was one of his career injuries he was never going to be the GOAT.

[Exp0sed]

delusional as always

doesn't have the I.Q or the mentality to be anywhere near that conversatiob. I.Q is also a part of player's "talent" and skill-set.
he's a great Center but it isn't injuries that kept him from being in GOAT conversations, that's a ludicrous statement

[ReddoverKobe]

Will, the "goat" looks like a clown against South Sudan

[HMFFL]

Healthy embiid definitely could have been on the level with the great big men like Duncan/Shaq/Hakeem and soon to be Jokic but sadly we'll never know.

Those injuries forced him to change his game and become the soft/flopper who throws cheapshots instead. GOAT talks were probably always off-limits.

I disagree and I don't believe Joel Embiid is close to their talent. Injuries to me haven't been Embiid's issue as much as teammates have been. Ben Simmons was a negative anchor and so was James Harden. More so Ben useless Simmons.

Did you even watch Hakeem, Duncan, or Shaq play?

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[LeBronSpaghetti]

It’s impossible to be the GOAT when you’re a mental midget.

[sammo89]

Many bigs can make similar claims. Ralph Sampson, Ewing, Yao and Porzingis come to mind. Makes the claim useless in itself

[Bank Shot]

No chance. He doesn't have the mental game to reach that level. The injuries aren't stopping him from struggling with doubles and shrinking in big moments.