How much pressure is Joel Embiid facing as the 76ers look to survive in New York?

I think it’s safe to say that it’s not been a good stretch for Joel Embiid.

The reigning NBA MVP is still trying to play his way back into shape from a knee injury that cost him a good chunk of the season, it was revealed that he’s suffering from Bell’s Palsy, and he took out his frustration on the Philly fans following a Game 4 loss which saw Knicks fans invade his home arena and take over.

So amid all of this, The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz asks: Is this a legacy-defining game for Embiid?

Dan says his career has a chance to blossom ... or he could get left behind as players like Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum ascend into the top echelon without him.

Stugotz has an idea, however. He says Embiid may have to join up with other superstars and form his own superteam, either elsewhere or in Philadelphia. Dan says he wouldn’t hold it against Embiid if chose to do that given the weight these superstar players are under, even as we witness the collapse of Phoenix who mortgaged everything to build their Death Star of KD-Booker-Beal which imploded this postseason. Dan says amidst the changing of the guard and youth being served, history is about to be written and stories will be told as everyone is impressed by Anthony Edwards. Who got a co-sign from no less than his favorite player.

And Dan says Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns are living under the weight of expectations, the ones Anthony Davis has been living under for a while. which can be very unpleasant. They’re giants, but it stinks when Shaq and Charles Barkley are calling for more and more. Dan says the demands of these players is superhuman and he admits he’d be afraid to be Embiid tonight, after all New York is OBNOXIOUS! This fandom is loud, and apparently it is coming for Embiid based on the backpage of the tabloids.

But Mike has a question: Why does Dan feel so bad for Joel Embiid, more so than other players? He has had it pretty good in Philly, Mike says, complete with superstar teammates. Mike says he’s got to deliver! Dan believes that what LeBron James has gone through for the last 20 years in the public spotlight, living up to the legend of Michael Jordan and the cruelty that it entails, is a big ask for the Embiids of the world.

Check out the full discussion above and make sure to tune into The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network as well as new episodes of the Truth Lounge every Friday at Friday at 6 p.m. ET!

SHOW BREAKDOWN

Big Suey: Kick His Ass on a Bowling Lane

• Today’s Crew: Dan, Stu, Greg, Chris, Billy, Mike. Greg Cote is thankfully okay after a spill and joins us in studio to reveal the bruise to his face. We discuss his bowling game and why he wants to challenge Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter to a bowling match. Plus, LeBron’s Lakers career could be over, but will LA draft Bronny to keep him around? We discuss where his next move could be and how he could once and for all convince Stugotz that he is better than Michael Jordan. Plus, Netflix is hosting a live roast of Tom Brady this weekend and the upcoming Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight, Stugotz has an update on his book and explains why Andre Dawson took a baseball bat to this head in one of the chapters.

Local Hour: Until I Say It, It Hasn’t Been Said

• Pablo Torre joins the show to discuss the latest episode of ‘Pablo Torre Finds Out’ in which he dives into the infamous Yankees’ wife swap of 1973. Greg finally reveals his injury and marvels at the healing powers of the human body. Plus, Pablo and the crew get into the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers series and try to corner Pablo on which team he is actually a fan of. Then, the show finally gets to the Panthers epic series-clinching win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, and how it could represent a changing of the guard in Florida hockey. Who had all of the takes about the Panthers first: Greg or everyone else? Also, the Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in deflating fashion that has them on the brink of elimination.

Hour 1: Rubs Me The Right Way

• Ron Magill joins the show to talk about how he and Greg Cote have been promoting their book ‘The Pride of a Lion’, which reignites the discussion about whether listening to an audiobook counts as reading. Joel Embiid missed shoot-around with a migraine and Dan feels bad for him, as the show continues to discuss how he can silence Knicks fans and the garden under immense pressure in Game 5. Taylor will be there, how close is he to actually arriving in New York? Plus, Dan gets into a sports media discussion after it was announced Jason Kelce is heading to ESPN. Finally, we go further into the possible end of LeBron’s career in Los Angeles and Taylor arrives in New York!

Hour 2: I Would Never Shoot a Dog

• Taylor has arrived in New York and joins us from the platform in Penn Station to discuss his 28-hour journey to New York. What does he do now? Where will he shower? Will he even make it to the game or sleep right through it? Dan then transitions to a conversation about the controversy surrounding South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem, and her dog. Greg Cote was the victim of an attempted bribe to keep a no-hitter alive at 18 years old and the crew wants to know what it would have taken for him to change his ruling. Then, we play a few songs including some instant classics and an old favorite and discuss how well Greg Cote did on his mock draft.

Postgame Show: The Super Zagackto

• Mike is still frustrated trying to understand the difference between an Exacto, a Zagackto, a Super Exacto and a Super Zagackto. Aren’t they all just the same thing? Also, Dan wants everybody to stop for a moment and witness the passing of the torch as it seems LeBron James’ reign of the NBA is over following his Los Angeles Lakers defeat to the Denver Nuggets. Plus, did anybody know Magic and Cavs is tied at 2? Where can we watch the swing game tonight?

VIDEO:

Check out the Le Batard and Friends YouTube page for more and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow the show on X at @LeBatardShow.

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