The Legend of Joel Embiid

[Bum Adebayo]

I just came here to say that while I love Embiid, I think he’s becoming too much of an ass with his antics. Like, there’s a difference between “just having fun” and letting your personality shine, which I think is great, versus doing just jackass things on the court like waiving bye to players who fouled out and throwing the ball at guys on the ground for no reason (he only got a delay of game for it Saturday, but he should’ve gotten a tech).

He just does a lot of bush league stuff, and I hope somebody is able to rein him in where he can still display his personality without being a Richard about it.

That is all. Carry on...

He is who he is, he is displaying his personality and has the right to do so. It is a way to keep engaged all the season, remember there are tons of games in a short period, otherwise it would be boring and maybe you would see him kind of disinterested a la Anthony Davis. He always finds a reason to make a game more interesting to be more engaged.

[kingofthecourt67]

I just came here to say that while I love Embiid, I think he’s becoming too much of an ass with his antics. Like, there’s a difference between “just having fun” and letting your personality shine, which I think is great, versus doing just jackass things on the court like waiving bye to players who fouled out and throwing the ball at guys on the ground for no reason (he only got a delay of game for it Saturday, but he should’ve gotten a tech).

He just does a lot of bush league stuff, and I hope somebody is able to rein him in where he can still display his personality without being a Richard about it.

That is all. Carry on...

We're in an era where people, me included, think the competitive fire has been sapped out of the league because people are too concerned about being friends. I love what he does on the court. He relishes facing the best and then more often then not backs it up. I know the "throwing the ball at guys on the ground for no reason" thing you're referencing, and it was more like he turned around after getting a charge and threw the ball behind him. I don't think it was a big deal and neither did the Clippers.

I'd much rather have battles like Embiid vs Westbrook than LeBron befriending the best players in the league and joining teams with them.

[TFK]

Everything you guys are saying is all well and good... and I love Embiid, and I hope he continues to have a huge personality on and off the court.. but don’t be surprised one of these days he does something that goes WAY over the line and brings about negative consequences, for him individually and/or for the team in general.

On a semi-related note, w/r/2 his social media personality, part of me is waiting for that tweet or whatever where he unknowingly causes a shart storm by offending half the world... but then part of me thinks he might reach Barkley status where he can pretty much say anything he wants with carte blanche and not get in trouble for it.

[ivysixer2000]

I really hope Jojo only plays in the all-star game.

All those other events are useless, at least he has an excuse to sit with that ankle thing.

[Simmons25]

Everything you guys are saying is all well and good... and I love Embiid, and I hope he continues to have a huge personality on and off the court.. but don’t be surprised one of these days he does something that goes WAY over the line and brings about negative consequences, for him individually and/or for the team in general.

On a semi-related note, w/r/2 his social media personality, part of me is waiting for that tweet or whatever where he unknowingly causes a shart storm by offending half the world... but then part of me thinks he might reach Barkley status where he can pretty much say anything he wants with carte blanche and not get in trouble for it.

So what are you expecting Embiid will do that goes WAY over the line and brings negative consequences? Do you have an example?

I can't think of much. As long as he stays out of politics, religion, race and gender issues (which he does) what could he possibly say or do? Are you comparing calling Hassan Whiteside soft with say bringing a gun to the locker room?

[TFK]

Everything you guys are saying is all well and good... and I love Embiid, and I hope he continues to have a huge personality on and off the court.. but don’t be surprised one of these days he does something that goes WAY over the line and brings about negative consequences, for him individually and/or for the team in general.

On a semi-related note, w/r/2 his social media personality, part of me is waiting for that tweet or whatever where he unknowingly causes a shart storm by offending half the world... but then part of me thinks he might reach Barkley status where he can pretty much say anything he wants with carte blanche and not get in trouble for it.

So what are you expecting Embiid will do that goes WAY over the line and brings negative consequences? Do you have an example?

I can't think of much. As long as he stays out of politics, religion, race and gender issues (which he does) what could he possibly say or do? Are you comparing calling Hassan Whiteside soft with say bringing a gun to the locker room?

I’m saying that he kind of got this reputation as this fun loving, outgoing guy with this great personality that everybody can’t help but love... but I’m seeing some things this year that start to cross over the line to someone who is more just kind of a dick... like waving opponents bye when they foul out... or throwing ball at opponent for no reason... or getting t’d up for taunting an opponent when RoCo dunks on them.

And maybe that’s fine. Or maybe I’m wrong. But I’m here to express my concern that his behavior, while refreshing and awesome and fun right now, might over time switch the narrative on him where he starts to be seen as a dirty player and/or a guy nobody likes or respects. And I guess I just wish that my favorite player doesn’t end up being that guy.

But for now, I’ve said my peace and will leave it alone til he gives me any reason to bring it up again. Go Embiid... Go Sixers!

[Simmons25]

That's fair enough. I don't remember the "throwing the ball at an opponent" thing... I must have been asleep for that one.

I personally enjoy it as long as he is performing. If he isn't being as good as he is I would have an issue with it. I loved that he waved and I loved that Russ Westbrook waved at Joel after we lost to OKC. You can't buy rivalry like that.... and its the sort of stuff that gets you games on ESPN and TNT.

End of the day people will get sick of it when we start winning games, making finals and winning rings like they do with every team. Even the least offensive team in the league like San Antonio with no personality get hated by fans for being boring. Joel is a loveable fun character where guys like Westbrook, Harden, Durant and Lebron aren't. He can probably get away with it

[ivysixer2000]

That's fair enough. I don't remember the "throwing the ball at an opponent" thing... I must have been asleep for that one.

I personally enjoy it as long as he is performing. If he isn't being as good as he is I would have an issue with it. I loved that he waved and I loved that Russ Westbrook waved at Joel after we lost to OKC. You can't buy rivalry like that.... and its the sort of stuff that gets you games on ESPN and TNT.

End of the day people will get sick of it when we start winning games, making finals and winning rings like they do with every team. Even the least offensive team in the league like San Antonio with no personality get hated by fans for being boring. Joel is a loveable fun character where guys like Westbrook, Harden, Durant and Lebron aren't. He can probably get away with it

I don't know if it will get old to some, but Westbrook, Harden, Durant, and Lebron are loveable to their fans also for different reasons of their own. From an outside the Sixer fanbase basis, I can see how others could start to not like Jojo for some of his actions along with others (Ben is kinda arrogant, thats just true).

The more we win, the more hate Jojo and they all will get, thats just part of the process.

[Bum Adebayo]

Exactly, people needs to understand that fans are very biased and like certain parts of their players that would hate if they were on another team, if Embiid was playing for the celtics and doing what he is doing here (taunting, trash talking, etc) more than half of sixers fans would hate him. What the narrative is about him is irrelevant, he cannot change who he is just to be liked more by fans.

[TFK]

Just cuz other fans will inevitably “hate” on Embiid or Simmons or whoever naturally as a result of growing success and exposure doesn’t mean there can’t be a distinction between being a respected, act the right way player versus a non-respected, dirty and/or douchebaggy player. I want my favorite player to be the former, not the latter. Some things he does border on the latter.

[Kobblehead]

Is Embiid playing in the Rising Stars game?

[Arsenal]

Is Embiid playing in the Rising Stars game?

Hopefully not considering he has a sore ankle. 20 min in the actual all-star game is more than enough. We need him after the break. And quite frankly, he's above the Rising Stars game.

[spikeslovechild]

Exactly, people needs to understand that fans are very biased and like certain parts of their players that would hate if they were on another team, if Embiid was playing for the celtics and doing what he is doing here (taunting, trash talking, etc) more than half of sixers fans would hate him. What the narrative is about him is irrelevant, he cannot change who he is just to be liked more by fans.

The question is if Embiid is a jerk or the worlds greatest dude how does it affect you in any way?

[ivysixer2000]

Is Embiid playing in the Rising Stars game?

Hopefully not considering he has a sore ankle. 20 min in the actual all-star game is more than enough. We need him after the break. And quite frankly, he's above the Rising Stars game.

He's also supposed to be in some skill competition, who knows which one. He needs to just rest his ankle, thats too much for him this weekend. I can see the all-star game, but that's it.

[kingofthecourt67]

I definitely don't want to jinx it, but I hope he plays within himself and doesn't go for highlight dunks or blocks where he doesn't land on top of his legs with his knees properly bent.

[Kolkmania]

So Embiid is really going to play in the Rising Stars game, a skill competition AND the All-Star game? Sounds ridiculous for a injury prone big guy on his first year with 40+ games and currently having a sore ankle and hand.

[LloydFree]

So Embiid is really going to play in the Rising Stars game, a skill competition AND the All-Star game? Sounds ridiculous for a injury prone big guy on his first year with 40+ games and currently having a sore ankle and hand.

The skills challenge isn't a basketball game. The Rookie game and All-star game aren't back-to-backs.

[Kolkmania]

So Embiid is really going to play in the Rising Stars game, a skill competition AND the All-Star game? Sounds ridiculous for a injury prone big guy on his first year with 40+ games and currently having a sore ankle and hand.

The skills challenge isn't a basketball game. The Rookie game and All-star game aren't back-to-backs.

So? I want him to use this period to rest. I get that it's all fun and stuff, but it feels weird to have a player who can't play in a game on Wednesday to play in these unnecessary exhibition events. I'm fine with the All-Star game for limited minutes, but would have rejected the other two tbh.

[Martensitic]

So Embiid is really going to play in the Rising Stars game, a skill competition AND the All-Star game? Sounds ridiculous for a injury prone big guy on his first year with 40+ games and currently having a sore ankle and hand.

The skills challenge isn't a basketball game. The Rookie game and All-star game aren't back-to-backs.

So? I want him to use this period to rest. I get that it's all fun and stuff, but it feels weird to have a player who can't play in a game on Wednesday to play in these unnecessary exhibition events. I'm fine with the All-Star game for limited minutes, but would have rejected the other two tbh.

He's 23 and it's his first all star, let the kid have fun. It's a one in a lifetime experience and he's not even going to break a sweat.

Some of you take all of this too seriously.

[LordCovington33]

Who are the starters for the Rising Star match?