Joel Embiid Not Worried About Consequences Of Trash Talk

[RealGM Wiretap]

Joel Embiid is not concerned that his trolling and trash talk will make him a target of other players.

Embiid had a recent run-in with Donovan Mitchell and Kyle Kuzma attempted to dunk on him last week.

“Oh, no,” Embiid quickly answered. “I’m not worried about that. I mean, if those guys, they want to get their feelings hurt, if they’re not strong mentally, that’s not my fault. I think when it comes down to it, if we’ve all got to square up, I mean, I’m 7-foot-2 and I’m a big dude. So I don’t think you want to try me. And I’m African, too.”

Embiid has one of the NBA's most prominent social media presences. 

Via Jemele Hill/ESPN (via Yahoo! Sports)

[Donnyxc]

Really like Embiid. You're lucky to have him Philly.

[LordBaldric]

Embiid is the bomb.

[zero24gravity]

Embid is truly talented, but his mouth is still bigger than his game. For the sake of Philly fans, I hope he matures a bit. He's starting to look like a Rasheed Wallace/Ron Artest (MWP) ... where his focus is turned more towards being a "show" than a player. For example, he blocked D.Mitchell's shot, then stood there & stared down Mitchell while he was on the floor, which, by rule, should have been a T on Embid. Then when Mitchell gave Embid a light shove (which Mitchell shouldn't have done), Embid threw himself on the floor with a flop-for-ages. Embid then gets up and acts like he's in WWE, showboating to the crowd. "I’m 7-foot-2 and I’m a big dude. So I don’t think you want to try me." ... says the guy who flopped to the floor when a 6-3" player lightly shoved him. Immature.

He hasn't accomplished anything yet (other than injuries & losses), but talks like he's a 10 time All Star with 2 rings and a lifetime of experience.

Again, he's a really talented player. Just needs to get his act together.

[Daddy 801]

Embid is truly talented, but his mouth is still bigger than his game. For the sake of Philly fans, I hope he matures a bit. He's starting to look like a Rasheed Wallace/Ron Artest (WMP) ... where his focus is turned more towards being a "show" than a player. For example, he blocked D.Mitchell's shot, then stood there & stared down Mitchell while he was on the floor, which, by rule, should have been a T on Embid. Then when Mitchell gave Embid a light shove (which Mitchell shouldn't have done), Embid threw himself on the floor with a flop-for-ages. Embid then gets up and acts like he's in WWE, showboating to the crowd. "I’m 7-foot-2 and I’m a big dude. So I don’t think you want to try me." ... says the guy who flopped to the floor when a 6-3" player lightly shoved him. Immature.

He hasn't accomplished anything yet (other than injuries & losses), but talks like he's a 10 time All Star with 2 rings and a lifetime of experience.

Again, he's a really talented player. Just needs to get his act together.

As a Jazz fan I was happy to see Mitchell shove him. It wasn't a close game. Don't let a guy punk you.

[moocow007]

Does he trash talk everyone or only guys that he thinks he can get away trash talking to?

[I_Never Lied]

Gary Payton, Reggie Miller, ect. There have been big time trash talkers in the NBA for years. Quit trying to single out Embiid.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Does he trash talk everyone or only guys that he thinks he can get away trash talking to?

Everyone, especially other centers, he has an ongoing beef with Whiteside and Drummond.

[the_process]

You guys do know that the vast majority of other players think Embiid’s trash talk is funny, right?

There have been a ton of stars over the years that have talked smack all game long. Embiid is not the first, nor the last.

[12footrim]

if we’ve all got to square up, I mean, I’m 7-foot-2 and I’m a big dude. So I don’t think you want to try me. And I’m African, too

Here is to hoping some little guy teaches him a lesson one day. It doesn't matter if you know don't know how to fight like another guy.

[CoreyGallagher]

Does he trash talk everyone or only guys that he thinks he can get away trash talking to?

Everyone, video below Draymond mentions him talking trash to Durant, says he thinks more guys should be like Embiid because it’s entertainment. Also, what’s funny is that those that people assume will have such issues with trash talking actually respect that mental facet of the game. Draymond, Cousins, Whiteside etc - that’s why they get along and sometimes praise each other afterward, then it’s back to trash talking.

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[CoreyGallagher]

Speaking of, Draymond just tweeted this—

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Read on Twitter

[Fellow72]

The difference between Embiid and probably all of the other big trash talkers both now and in the past is that he is a troll, has a sense of humour, and is actually a pretty decent human being. Other trash talkers are usually very ignorant, self centered, sometimes very physical, are bullies both on and off the court, and take very personal shots at you. Embiid isn't like that. He likes to establish he is an alpha male, but without making it personal. The trash talk is strictly basketball, which is why he is one of the only trash talkers I've ever really liked in the NBA. He doesn't try to make you feel like you are less of a human being than he is, he just tries to make you feel that you are less of a basketball player than he is which I think is fine. There isn't anything wrong with strictly attacking someone's Ego and nothing else. He's backed up all his trash talk on a 1 on 1 basis, so I don't see what the issue is.

[I_Never Lied]

if we’ve all got to square up, I mean, I’m 7-foot-2 and I’m a big dude. So I don’t think you want to try me. And I’m African, too

Here is to hoping some little guy teaches him a lesson one day. It doesn't matter if you know don't know how to fight like another guy.

He's also close to 300 lbs...Are you really gonna go against physics because you have a Napoleon complex?

[popfan]

I agree with the other posters. Embiid is immature.

I would add that he's also not particularly bright. For example, "I’m 7-foot-2 and I’m a big dude. So I don’t think you want to try me. And I’m African, too." So players should fear him because he's really tall and African? Welcome to the NBA, where a majority of players are really tall and have African heritage.

It sounds as if Embiid believes that being African (raised in Africa, I presume) means that he's naturally tough, antagonistic. That Embiid is tough and antagonistic is without question but I seriously doubt this is attributable to his African identity. I also don't believe that Embiid has an accurate sense of his toughness. If cornered in an alley between Ron Artest and Embiid, I'd be more concerned about Artest.

Hakeem Olajuwon -- another tall African in the NBA -- was tougher, more humble, brighter and more accomplished.

[12footrim]

if we’ve all got to square up, I mean, I’m 7-foot-2 and I’m a big dude. So I don’t think you want to try me. And I’m African, too

Here is to hoping some little guy teaches him a lesson one day. It doesn't matter if you know don't know how to fight like another guy.

He's also close to 300 lbs...Are you really gonna go against physics because you have a Napoleon complex?

There is always a badder dude that has more know how even among trained fighters. He's probably going to mess with wrong person one day and get stuck.



Some people talk a big game.

[zero24gravity]

Does he trash talk everyone or only guys that he thinks he can get away trash talking to?

Everyone, video below Draymond mentions him talking trash to Durant, says he thinks more guys should be like Embiid because it’s entertainment. Also, what’s funny is that those that people assume will have such issues with trash talking actually respect that mental facet of the game. Draymond, Cousins, Whiteside etc - that’s why they get along and sometimes praise each other afterward, then it’s back to trash talking.

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Using Draymond as an example of someone who agrees, actually works against the argument that what Embid is doing it acceptable. Draymond is the most ridiculously dirty & over the top player in the game today. Cousins may the biggest head-case in the league & Whiteside has a less-than-flattering track record as well. If you're being mentioned in the same breath as those guys, you should re-evaluate what you are doing.

Some of Embid's comments are funny, I'll give him that. And I do think he's trying to have fun (not just being a fake-tough-guy like KG). He just isn't mature enough or socially aware enough to understand that he's actually punking himself when he acts up.

[Nuntius]

I'm fine with Embiid's trash talking as long as it's strictly basketball-related. It's his cheap shots that I'm worried about. I don't think that he's a dirty player or anything but sometimes he can get a bit emotional and hit someone hard. That's my only complaint about him. He's a truly great player otherwise.

[caronimo]

At least he doesn't run his mouth like lavar ball

[CoreyGallagher]

Draymond is the most ridiculously dirty & over the top player in the game today. Cousins may the biggest head-case in the league & Whiteside has a less-than-flattering track record as well. If you're being mentioned in the same breath as those guys, you should re-evaluate what you are doing.

Embiid hasn’t done anything dirty... He trash talks and if somebody takes it a step further and physically reacts then they’re dirty. What I’m showing is that those that people expect would react, in fact actually like him.

Some of Embid's comments are funny, I'll give him that. And I do think he's trying to have fun (not just being a fake-tough-guy like KG). He just isn't mature enough or socially aware enough to understand that he's actually punking himself when he acts up.

How is he punking himself?