Philadelphia 76ers: 5 best moments from 2019-20 season

3. Embiid hushes his critics

The Sixers had just come off a 97-92 win against Denver where Joel Embiid notched a double-double. Following the game, shown to a national audience on TNT, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal had some critical remarks for Joel.

Barkley questioned why Embiid isn’t talked about like the league’s best — James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis. Shaq questioned if Embiid even wanted to be great. He told him right now you’re good, but you have to want to be great. Barkley added that the Sixers “ain’t got no chance” at reaching the Finals.

So what did Embiid do? Only put up a then season-high 38 points. His aggression? That was answered in resounding fashion when Embiid found himself at the charity stripe 14 times — making all but two. Oh, and he only missed one three all game, and hit a huge one to put the Sixers up eight late in the fourth.

Joel didn’t just score too. He grabbed 13 boards and dropped six dimes. He finished with a game-high +21 point differential.

In the past, who knows how Joel would have responded to this criticism from two legends. But Embiid this year is on a mission, he admitted he was holding himself back in an attempt to remain healthy in the postseason but he showed the entire league why he is one of the best and he can turn it on if need be.