Charles Barkley and Shaq praise Joel Embiid, crush ‘crybaby’ Ben Simmons

What a difference a couple of years makes.

Over the past few years, NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have been outspokenly critical of Sixers star Joel Embiid, at times labeling him as “soft” and lacking effort on the court.

But Tuesday night, the TNT NBA analysts offered nothing but praise for the Sixers All-Star before, during, and after Philadelphia’s 105-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without superstar LeBron James.

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“He is learning what a superstar is… Making guys around you better, that’s when you become a star,” said Barkley. “We got a lot of looters and rioters around here, a lot of guys in the NBA who put up great numbers but they can’t play.”

“There’s only about five great players,” Barkley added, suggesting that Embiid is one.

During a postgame interview, Shaq thanked Embiid for “dominating,” pointing out that the double teams the big man drew opened up the court for easy shots for his teammates. But even basking in the win, Embiid appeared unsatisfied with his own performance, despite finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

“As a group here, we thought you played great,” said TNT analyst Kenny Smith. “You made the right basketball plays. You forced people to double team you, and then it leaves guys open. And when they don’t, you punish them inside.”

While Shaq had nothing but praise for Embiid, he had tougher words for Ben Simmons, who has not taken the court this year for the Sixers while waiting for a trade out of Philadelphia. Shaq said he had no respect for Simmons, who hasn’t shown he can “take criticism without being a crybaby.”

“Think about it, you’re missing a whole season because they asked your coach a question, ‘Can they win without you?’ And your coach gave a funny answer. That should tell you that you need to get in the summer time and work on your game,” Shaq said prior to the game, noting how Embiid has responded to criticism to become a better player.

“Great players get criticized, but great players also step up to the criticism and perform,” Shaq added. “So this other guy? I don’t respect him. I would get rid of him.”

Is Tyrese Maxey the most improved player in the NBA this season? One former head coach thinks so.

During his call of Thursday night’s Sixers-Lakers game, TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy praised the Sixers guard, calling him “greatly improved” compared to last season.

Van Gundy highlighted Maxey’s work developing his three-point shot, which has increased his shooting percentage beyond the arc from 30% a year ago to 41% this season. Maxey is also averaging over 16 points per game, more than double the 8 points a game he averaged last season, the largest point increase in the NBA.

“When you’re going up in every area, then your three-point shooting percentage goes from 30% to 41%, then you double your assists at the same time — that’s great improvement, not just in your skills, but your decision making,” Van Gundy said during the game.

“Maxey has been great,” Embiid said following the game. “He needs to keep doing whatever he’s doing.”

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