Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has spoken out, stating that the blame for the 76ers’ playoff failures should not solely rest on Ben Simmons’ shoulders. Instead, Arenas points to Joel Embiid as the one who should shoulder the responsibility for the team’s postseason shortcomings.
In an interview with VLAD TV, Arenas expressed his views, saying, “If we are gonna put blame on someone, I am always gonna blame the most talented and the most naturally gifted of the group, and that is gonna be Joel Embiid” (h/t HoopsHype).
Drawing parallels to Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s dynamic, Arenas sees similarities with Embiid and Simmons. According to him, Embiid’s immense talent and potential should make him the driving force behind the team’s success. However, Arenas believes that Embiid’s lack of tapping into his full potential has hindered the team’s progress in the playoffs.
Arenas compared the situation to when Kobe Bryant, an intensely dedicated player, pushed Shaq, who had incredible talent but a more relaxed approach, to fully commit to his craft. He believes that if Embiid invested more time and effort into honing his skills, he would become unstoppable and carry the team to new heights.
He emphasized, “You’re supposed to be carrying this team with your dominance, but you’re not, and we are blaming everyone else.”
While Simmons has faced substantial criticism for his performance, Arenas’ perspective highlights the need to consider the impact of Embiid’s potential on the team’s overall success. As the 76ers strive to achieve playoff success, unlocking Embiid’s full potential and commitment to continuous improvement could be a key factor in their journey towards an NBA championship.
