*Update: Embiid commits to Team USA* (France gives Embiid til Oct 10th to commit)

Mickey8 · Post #221 » by **Mickey8** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:19 pm

Embiid is the product of the Cameroon, who went to the States for the basketball education.

Kimiko · Post #222 » by **Kimiko** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:22 pm

So legitimate question but what is Embiid's relationship with France ? I understand Cameroon was once a French colony but what else ?

SK21209 · Post #223 » by **SK21209** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:25 pm

Lol the guy left Cameroon for a better life in America, he’s American. The internationals are just mad that they won’t get to do this silly thing where we pretend the U.S. isn’t far and away the best at basketball because someone else won a non-Olympic tournament no one cares about.

Post #224 » by **CBS7** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:27 pm

Non USA fans should be overjoyed. Now they can use the "well they stole Embiid!!" excuse when Team USA wins gold. They were going to win gold anyway, but now people can point to stealing Embiid as the reason!

MakeItSplash · Post #225 » by **MakeItSplash** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:30 pm

Still got a full NBA season to finish before the Olympics begin. Things can change, just ask Paolo Banchero.

Players/national teams have been using this loophole for the longest time, including the USA. Usually it's the other away around, but now it's Embiid's turn. Don't hate the player, hate the game (FIBA rules).

Post #226 » by **dockingsched** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:31 pm

Kimiko wrote:So legitimate question but what is Embiid's relationship with France ? I understand Cameroon was once a French colony but what else ?

He speaks French and has some non-immediate family that moved there, so pretty much zero actual connection.

eyeatoma · Post #227 » by **eyeatoma** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:40 pm

Kimiko wrote:So legitimate question but what is Embiid's relationship with France ? I understand Cameroon was once a French colony but what else ?

Because Cameroon is a French colony, he speaks French. He also has some family in France. His connection to the US and Cameroon are far stronger.

Effigy · Post #228 » by **Effigy** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:44 pm

CBS7 wrote:Non USA fans should be overjoyed. Now they can use the "well they stole Embiid!!" excuse when Team USA wins gold. They were going to win gold anyway, but now people can point to stealing Embiid as the reason!

Now wait just a minute! Team USA just lost a tournament that nobody in the US cares about playing scrubs like Austin Reeves. Clearly the rest of the world has caught up!

mrmsix6 · Post #229 » by **mrmsix6** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:46 pm

Dirk wrote:Just when you thought FIBA couldn't be more pathetic, now Embiid is an American?

He has been since 2021. Why is this so difficult for people to come to terms with?

"“I’ve been here for a long time,” Embiid told The Associated Press on Thursday at training camp at The Citadel. “My son is American. I felt like, I’m living here and it’s a blessing to be an American. So I said, why not?”"

Mickey8 · Post #230 » by **Mickey8** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:49 pm

Effigy wrote:
CBS7 wrote:Non USA fans should be overjoyed. Now they can use the "well they stole Embiid!!" excuse when Team USA wins gold. They were going to win gold anyway, but now people can point to stealing Embiid as the reason!

Now wait just a minute! Team USA just lost a tournament that nobody in the US cares about playing scrubs like Austin Reeves. Clearly the rest of the world has caught up!

Its not the rest of the world faults that US was not able to gather and send the better players to the tournament. You sent the best you had at that moment. Other countries were missing their stars too. It was the official World Cup and USA was the 4th medal less and have to pluck other countries talent to bolster their squad for the next tournament. The USA basketball is pathetic

Your junior NT also got their butts kicked last summer. The top players in the NBA are international players.

JayMKE · Post #231 » by **JayMKE** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 8:52 pm

Embiid moved here when he was 16 and Team USA could definitely use him, Hakeem played for Team USA too. It would have been nice if he helped develop basketball more in Cameroon which could have had a competitive team but I am very happy he is not playing for France which would have made FIBA look like a joke with countries giving out citizenship like its free agency.

druggas · Post #232 » by **druggas** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:00 pm

Mickey8 wrote:
Effigy wrote:
CBS7 wrote:Non USA fans should be overjoyed. Now they can use the "well they stole Embiid!!" excuse when Team USA wins gold. They were going to win gold anyway, but now people can point to stealing Embiid as the reason!

Now wait just a minute! Team USA just lost a tournament that nobody in the US cares about playing scrubs like Austin Reeves. Clearly the rest of the world has caught up!

Its not the rest of the world faults that US was not able to gather and send the better players to the tournament. You sent the best you had at that moment. Other countries were missing their stars too. It was the official World Cup and USA was the 4th medal less and have to pluck other countries talent to bolster their squad for the next tournament. The USA basketball is pathetic :D Your junior NT also got their butts kicked last summer. The top players in the NBA are international players.

Put your money where your mouth is, if you're so sure.

Roy T · Post #233 » by **Roy T** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:02 pm

Effigy wrote:
CBS7 wrote:Non USA fans should be overjoyed. Now they can use the "well they stole Embiid!!" excuse when Team USA wins gold. They were going to win gold anyway, but now people can point to stealing Embiid as the reason!

Now wait just a minute! Team USA just lost a tournament that nobody in the US cares about playing scrubs like Austin Reeves. Clearly the rest of the world has caught up!

And the rest of the world had like 5 players that fill out the end of NBA rosters and they still won against NBA world champion league players.

You want some cheese to your whine?

Mickey8 · Post #234 » by **Mickey8** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:03 pm

I don't have to put anything out. Your both male basketball selections were medal less this past summer.

Cubbies2120 · Post #235 » by **Cubbies2120** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:07 pm

Serious question, given all the talent that's on the roster for 2024 Olympics...would it be the biggest chokejob of all time if they somehow don't win it all? Based on the comments here, seems like that would be the case - the rest of the world is way far behind, so IMO losing in 2024 would be the biggest failure in international basketball history.

greekbuck34 · Post #236 » by **greekbuck34** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:08 pm

I don't know why you keep debating if it's right or wrong or if Embiid really feels more american than cameroonian.

The only thing that happened is that Lebron called the big guns, USA is basically unbeatable at full strength and Embiid just wants a free gold medal for his lacking resume with zero effort from his part.

jerok · Post #237 » by **jerok** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:14 pm

Can't say that I'm not disappointed. Lost a little respect for Joel.

I was hoping he would play for Cameroon, his country.
Pascal, Embiid likely best front court international play.
Who knows how far they can go, it'll be huge for the country and inspire countless youngsters to follow them.

Missed on a bigger long lasting impact for a guaranteed medal.

CobraCommander · Post #238 » by **CobraCommander** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:56 pm

Where do you think MJ would play if he was born and had citizenship in another country?

I’m pretty sure MJ would play with UNC allstars over the USA...lol

CobraCommander · Post #239 » by **CobraCommander** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 9:59 pm

MakeItSplash wrote:Still got a full NBA season to finish before the Olympics begin. Things can change, just ask Paolo Banchero.

Players/national teams have been using this loophole for the longest time, including the USA. Usually it's the other away around, but now it's Embiid's turn. Don't hate the player, hate the game (FIBA rules).

Wait why you got Jordan Clarkson on the screen...dude is a Philippino dude and they LOVE ball.

KGtabake · Post #240 » by **KGtabake** » Thu Oct 5, 2023 10:03 pm

SK21209 wrote:Lol the guy left Cameroon for a better life in America, he’s American. The internationals are just mad that they won’t get to do this silly thing where we pretend the U.S. isn’t far and away the best at basketball because someone else won a non-Olympic tournament no one cares about.

The fact that the US is the best at basketball cannot be doubted by anyone.
It would be insane not to be with a population of 330 millions though.

What should trouble you is how Serbia, a nation of 4 millions has the same amount of golds as you in world championships.
Safe to say that if Serbia had the same population as yours(which means a far greater pool to pick players) they would have been the far and away best.