(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid is undeniably one of the best players in the NBA and one of the most skilled big men this game has ever seen.
However, despite his greatness, his reputation among non-Philadelphia 76ers fans isn’t particularly the best.
Some call him out for lobbying for years to get an MVP, even though he was a rightful winner of the award.
Others believe he intentionally ducks facing off with star big men to avoid getting exposed or embarrassed, and he hasn’t played in Denver since November 2019.
That criticism only got even harsher when he announced his decision to suit up for Team USA in the Olympics.
Even so, he’s never given much thought to what the fans say, and he seems to feed off the haters.
Notably, he looked ecstatic when Grant Hill gave him his jersey to make his roster spot official (via USA Basketball).
He stays repping the red, white & blue!
Welcome to the #USABMNT @JoelEmbiid! pic.twitter.com/IH90pkGU6C
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) April 17, 2024
Embiid was born and raised in Cameroon and was also eligible to play for France, but he ended up choosing the U.S., claiming he was doing it for his son.
Needless to say, he’s going to have an easier path to a gold Olympic medal by suiting up with the best players in the NBA, and his chances of doing so with Cameroon or France were slimmer.
But every player has a right to do what he thinks it’s best for his career, and there should be no shame in that.
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