Philadelphia 76ers centerpiece Joel Embiid hasn’t had a warm welcome in any game he’s played in during the Paris Olympics.
The reason is unquestioned. Embiid lobbied for French citizenship just to join them for the Olympics. However, conflicted by France’s history with Cameroon and bothered by the national team’s pushiness, he joined Team USA instead. The familiarity that he has with a team full of NBA players also factored into his decision.
Nonetheless, despite the rationality of him joining Team USA, French fans haven’t taken kindly to it. It doesn’t help that their country is hosting the Olympics this year.
Addressing the cold reception, Embiid says that he’s “always loved it” (per Eurohoops’ Aris Barkas).
Sixers Centerpiece Coming Alive At Right Time
“At the end of the day, I think a lot of people think it’s hate,” Embiid continues. “I see it as love and respect. If I wasn’t an OK basketball player, I would not receive that type of treatment.”
“So I see myself as being blessed, and that’s why I interact with them…”
Embiid has a point here, as many of the jeers are directed at him because of his stature in the NBA. Whether he really thinks it’s all love is in question. Last month, the outspoken big man claimed to be the most hated player in the league. However, surrounded by supportive teammates, recent conversations may have spurred a change in his outlook.
What can be sure is that boos aren’t new to Embiid.
“…I’ve seen worse,” he contends. “I’ve played in worse environments. Both Gardens (Madison Square Garden and TD Garden). So it’s nothing that I haven’t seen before.”
“It’s all because they want to push you… Just like with this crowd. I enjoy it because it makes me want to be better and do more and do whatever it takes to win.”
Even the notoriously tough Sixers fans have also let him hear it.“They boo their own guys, more than their opponents,” cuts the big man.
Turning A Frown Upside Down
Embiid’s up and down performance with Team USA may be impacted, in part, by a rain of boos every time he touches the ball. The pressure truly isn’t entirely negative though.
Against Puerto Rico, the two-time scoring champion came alive when Davon Reed extended his legs over after a putback dump in the first quarter. Going back down the court, he hit hunted someone to post up and scored easily. It was his first basket of the night. When Jose Alvarado attempted to get a shot over him at the other end, he swatted it away emphatically.
In the second quarter, Embiid turned away a dunk attempt from Ismael Romero. An impressed LeBron James rewarded him with a flashy dime inside. By the end of the half, the big man had clearly finally caught his rhythm in Paris.
JOEL EMBIID WHAT A BLOCK pic.twitter.com/I22hN9lhxo
— J
(@SixersJustin) August 3, 2024
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The next half started off with Embiid being too excited, turning the ball over. Yet, he was being aggressive, Team USA allowing him to be their primary scoring option. He even nailed a 3.
While Embiid’s performance against Puerto Rico was imperfect, he looked much more like the two-time scoring champion that he is.
The Road to El Dorado
As Team USA fights for gold, he’ll need to continue playing to his strength and the crowd.
In the quarterfinals, Team USA will face Brazil, a team without a dominant center but the active Bruno Caboclo. Caboclo has averaged 7.3 rebounds per game during the Olympics, so Embiid has to be more aggressive on the glass. At 7-foot-0 and 280 pounds, he’s averaged just 2.5 rebounds per game in Paris.
Should Team USA advance as expected, it’ll only get tougher from there.
Rudy Gobert (France), Victor Wembanyama (France), and Nikola Jokic (Serbia) have all made it to the quarterfinals as well. Not to be forgotten are Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) and even Jock Landale (Australia), who are averaging 7.7 and 9.7 rebounds per game, respectively. Antetokounmpo, like Wembanyama and Jokic, is also highly adept at scoring inside.
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