Joel: unchained.

[Stanford]

My excitement for the season went down 10% after last night.

[76ciology]

I always worry that an opponent outside the NBA might retaliate against his "overly physical" play, as they don't have much to lose.

[76ciology]

What I don't enjoy about watching Jojo is that every game and every possession, you have to worry about his condition and health, instead of just enjoying the basketball. That's my perspective as a fan of his team.

For those who aren't fans of his team, I imagine it's similar to watching Trae Young play with all his foul-baiting antics to get to the line.

[MikRay]

The fact that he’s playing in the Olympics is really sad. He hasn’t really no business doing that when he’s getting paid all that money from the 76ers.

[TYO23]

I just wish that for once he would come into a season in shape and we don’t have to wait a week or a month to get him back ready. Like we signed a top 25 player in the league. Tyrese is a star now. It’s time to lock in Jo. There are no more excuses man..lock in

[eyeatoma]

The fact that he’s playing in the Olympics is really sad. He hasn’t really no business doing that when he’s getting paid all that money from the 76ers.

All the players are getting paid loads of money by their teams. What does that have to do with anything?

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk

[76ciology]

If Embiid’s mid-range shooting is off, what's his alternative way to score?

In the playoffs, it seems Embiid’s scoring primarily relies on getting to the line and mid-range jumpers. But what if the refs don't call fouls or he faces smart defenders who can figure out his moves over a seven-game series?

Look at Jokic—he has a reliable mid-range shot, a 60% floater, and strong post-scoring ability, not to mention his exceptional passing skills.

I believe finding this alternative source in scoring is the next step in Embiid’s game.

[MikRay]

The fact that he’s playing in the Olympics is really sad. He hasn’t really no business doing that when he’s getting paid all that money from the 76ers.

All the players are getting paid loads of money by their teams. What does that have to do with anything?

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk

His injury history

[mksp]

It's not really fun rooting for a guy everyone else hates if you also hate the way the guy plays lol.

[eyeatoma]

Jo thinks he would have been the GOAT if not for injuries? Thoughts on this? I posted this on the GB, as form of blissful sadist masochism. Wanted to get everyone's opinion here.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/20/magazine/joel-embiid-interview.html

[mjkvol]

Jo thinks he would have been the GOAT if not for injuries? Thoughts on this? I posted this on the GB, as form of blissful sadist masochism. Wanted to get everyone's opinion here.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/20/magazine/joel-embiid-interview.html

"Blissful" sado masochism?

There's a bizarre rationalization for subjecting yourself to the GB.

The article was behind a NY Times paywall - what is the Cliffs Notes version of what is said?

[eyeatoma]

Jo thinks he would have been the GOAT if not for injuries? Thoughts on this? I posted this on the GB, as form of blissful sadist masochism. Wanted to get everyone's opinion here.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/20/magazine/joel-embiid-interview.html

"Blissful" sado masochism?

There's a bizarre rationalization for subjecting yourself to the GB.

The article was behind a NY Times paywall - what is the Cliffs Notes version of what is said?

Here is a summarized version of the article through Gemini.

Here's a detailed summary of the interview with Joel Embiid:

**Choosing Team USA over France**

* Embiid has dual citizenship (Canadian and American) and also feels connected to Cameroon (his birthplace).
* He felt pressured by France to play for them and ultimately chose the USA because he'd spent more time there and felt comfortable with their approach of letting him take his time with the decision.
* He expressed frustration with the historical and current relationship between France and Cameroon, which influenced his decision.

**Finding balance between seriousness and fun**

* Embiid acknowledges being a goofier and less serious player in the past, especially on Twitter.
* Having a son changed his perspective, making him want to be a better role model and take basketball more seriously.
* He highlights the importance of focus and preparation for winning.

**Struggles in Philadelphia**

* Embiid has dealt with multiple coaching changes, player turnover, and injuries during his time with the 76ers.
* He blames himself partly for not winning a championship due to injuries and not always performing at his peak.
* He emphasizes the value of continuity and stability, which the 76ers haven't always had.
* Despite the frustrations, Embiid expresses his love for Philadelphia and seems open to staying there long-term. (He jokingly says he doesn't eat cheesesteaks, though!)

**Grieving his brother's death and its impact**

* Losing his brother at a young age was a life-changing experience for Embiid.
* It made him value family more and appreciate life beyond basketball.
* He shared his unique way of honoring his brother by wanting to have four children (because three felt like an incomplete number).

**Mental health and competitive drive**

* Embiid avoids using the term "depression" but acknowledges feeling down after his injury last season.
* He expresses a belief in mental health but struggles with admitting vulnerability due to his background.
* Despite challenges, Embiid maintains a strong competitive spirit that fuels his desire to win.

**Expectations for the Olympics**

* Embiid anticipates boos from French fans but welcomes the challenge.
* He acknowledges the talent on the US team but also recognizes that some players, like LeBron James, are not at their peak anymore.
* There's a chance for other teams to compete for the gold.

**Self-belief and greatest-of-all-time conversation**

* Embiid believes his injuries have prevented him from being part of the greatest-of-all-time conversation for basketball players.
* He acknowledges the "hot take" potential of his statement but stands by it based on his accomplishments and what could have been.
* He emphasizes that his understanding of life being bigger than basketball doesn't prevent him from giving his all and striving to win while he plays.

[Stanford]

Joel could have been the GOAT if not for the injuries and the fact that he started playing basketball at 15, only played a handful of college games and didn't play in a professional game until he was 22. I don't think he had even a good feel for the game until his age 26 season. He simply hasn't played enough basketball and it shows when he has to make consecutive good decisions in high pressure games.

[Stanford]

* Embiid has dual citizenship (Canadian and American)

Well now I really am pissed about his decision to play for USA.

[Jailblazers7]

I really don’t love that our best player is already talking in terms of “what ifs” when we’re supposed to be competing for a title.

[eyeatoma]

* Embiid has dual citizenship (Canadian and American)

Well now I really am pissed about his decision to play for USA.

Gemini **** that up, the author said he did, and asked Embiid how he can relate. He does not have Canadian citizenship.

[Sixersftw]

Joel could have been the GOAT if not for the injuries and the fact that he started playing basketball at 15, only played a handful of college games and didn't play in a professional game until he was 22. I don't think he had even a good feel for the game until his age 26 season. He simply hasn't played enough basketball and it shows when he has to make consecutive good decisions in high pressure games.

Without injuries wouldn't his good feel for the game be accelerated because he has additional on court time?

I don't think the statement is even really a hot take. Embiid, injuries and all, is probably the most talented scoring big man of all time while being a tick below DPOY level defender consistently. Sounds like a GOAT candidate if he ran off some championships. Embiid's not being in this conversation comes down to his lack of accomplishments. His inability to get it done has primarily been up to his health. At the very least, that's all we can chalk it up to because the specter of his health has just always been there. At the very least, he'd probably have a few more MVPs.

[elchengue20]

This guy just doesn't get it.

Also lol who believed he was showing commitment by signing his extension.

It's nearly impossible to win a championship with this kind of alpha player.

[MikRay]

lol
Really??

Get rid of this cancer

Sixers’ Joel Embiid sits out shootaround; questionable vs. Nets with knee injury management

[sixers4real]

At least Iverson had a lot of heart