Robert Horry on Joel Embiid no longer keeping up with Nikola Jokic: “I would like to cut him some slack, but he got paid”

There was a stretch when fans genuinely believed Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid would be battling each other every season for the title of the most dominant big man in the modern-day NBA.

On one hand, “The Joker” has fulfilled every part of that expectation by winning MVPs, leading the Denver Nuggets franchise to their first-ever title. Embiid, meanwhile, after capturing his MVP, hasn’t been healthy enough to sustain that level of competition.

And although some fans sympathize with him, acknowledging how he has constantly battled different injuries to find meaningful time on the court, Robert Horry isn’t joining that narrative. For him, Embiid has always been paid like a superstar, which places an athlete under the obligation to always be available.

Horry explains his perspective

The numbers paint a revealing picture. Embiid has missed 485 games in his career and has only recently surpassed that number. Many might feel that, given how the seven-foot center missed his first two seasons due to injuries, his fighting his way into the NBA elite deserves praise.

But ever after winning the MVP award in 2023, he has appeared in just 93 games. While Jokic, in that same span, has logged 89 triple-doubles. That contrast alone indicates why Serbian continues to be viewed as the standard for modern-day big men while “The Process” is now left out of that conversation.

Horry highlighted this by pointing out Embiid’s earnings. From making a total of $9 million in the two campaigns he missed, to now earning $55 million in the 2025-26 season, that financial aspect highlights how the 76ers have gone above and beyond to show their desire to see Joel healthy.

So while players like Draymond Green may express empathy towards Embiid, Horry isn’t offering any.

“I would like to cut him some slack, but he got paid. I’m a strong believer in those guys, ‘Oh, I missed my rookie season due to injuries, then I’m a rookie.’ No! You’re not, ’cause you got paid. If you’re getting paid, those games count,” Horry said on his Big Shot Bob podcast. “I understand, he came out of college early, but he was smart ’cause he knew he was hurt and this is the best way to capitalize on that because big man, at the time, was one of the things that was coveted.”

Joel’s future looks bleak

This season has further widened the gap. While Jokic has missed games due to a knee injury, he is still leading the league in assists and rebounds, while helping the Denver Nuggets attain the fourth seed in the Western Conference. On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t even among the top six seeds in the Eastern Conference.

So, clearly, Horry has raised a valid point — Embiid needs to be more productive and durable, especially as the playoffs approach, given how well he has performed throughout his career. However, looking at his medical chart, it is much easier said than done as he looks like a player whose body can’t keep up with the NBA schedule.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Robert Horry on Joel Embiid no longer keeping up with Nikola Jokic: “I would like to cut him some slack, but he got paid”

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