Joel Embiid Responds to Criticism with Big Game vs Celtics

After a string of some lackluster performances by Sixers star center Joel Embiid, TNT NBA  analyst Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal let him know what he was doing, simply wasn't good enough.

The duo called out Embiid after a recent win over Denver in which he dropped 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.  While the numbers look impressive Shaq went after Embiid, saying those numbers weren't good enough for the amount of talent he brings to the court.

“Do you want to be great or do you want to be good?" asked O'Neal. "If you want to be good, keep doing 22 points. You want to be great, give me 28, give me 30."

On Thursday, Embiid responded.

Embiid scored a season-high 38 points during a 115-109 win over the Celtics, including 16 in the fourth quarter, adding 13 rebounds, six assists, one block, two turnovers and two 3-pointers in 36 minutes.

After the game, both Barkley and Shad let Embiid know how impressed they were.

"We don't expect you to get 38 points every night," Barkley explained. "But we need you to be aggressive. " When you're a great player, you have to set the tone for your team every single night."

"You have a chance to be the best player in the world."

Embiid responded by thanking Barkley, saying he really listens and appreciates the criticism and says he will keep working, and use those words to get better every night.

O'Neal chimed in saying "that was really fun to watch".

He added: "This is how you're supposed to play every night, I know Barkley just said he doesn't expect you to get 38 points every night, but I do. You have it in you"

Embiid finished the conversation by saying, "thank you, I listen and appreciate everything you said."