In mid-October, it was announced that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid plans to miss two consecutive games in the upcoming NBA season.

The reason for his exclusion is simple; to ensure adequate rest and prevent long injury layoffs that have plagued his career in hopes of a successful playoff run.

While the decision drew mixed reactions, two Hall of Fame members disapproved of the All-Star's decision Tuesday night.

To TNTs Within the NBA, Shaquille O'Neal and former Sixer Charles Barkley expressed their opinions on the issue, with Barkley opining that it was not what a team leader should do.

“I was so disappointed in Joel and Beats and he wasn't going to play two games in a row,” Barkley said. “They're one of the three, four or five best players in the world.” You can't say as the leader of this team, that I won't play certain games… I would never go into a season and say I won't play consecutive games. I thought this was bad news.

While the decision does not appear to have an impact on Philadelphia's morale, it will impact their performance in the 17 consecutive games they will play this season.

While the former Sixer focused on the leadership aspect of the decision, O'Neal was more frustrated with Embiid's reasoning, questioning that the game today isn't as physically demanding as it was at other times.

“It makes no sense. “The league isn’t so physical for him to say he’s a pick-and-popper. He's not a big guy,” O'Neal said. If I get fouled badly, there's no reason to say I won't play in sequence.

While the Sixers don't have back-to-back games in their opening week, they will still be without Embiid, who remains seated as he continues to improve for the regular season.