Joel Embiid Reveals Real Reason He Snubbed France For Team USA
Joel Embiid Reveals Real Reason He Snubbed France For Team USA
Joel Embiid’s decision to snub the French National Team for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics may go down as one of the worst decisions of his career.
Putting aside the fact that the French team is being blatantly helped by the Olympic referees, they are obviously the home team in this year’s games.
Not only did Embiid manage to tick off an entire nation full of fans, he did so to be inarguably the worst player on the American squad.
In Team USA’s most recent outing, in fact, Embiid was benched altogether.
This week the real reason for Embiid’s decision to join Team USA emerged.
“It was a tough decision, but it is all about comfort level, and like I said, I’ve known these guys (Team USA players) for a long time, and I just felt more comfortable than on the other side (France),” he told the media.
“There was some concern with the other side. Comfort level was huge. I always say I’m going to be where I’m wanted, and these guys wanted me.”
Embiid has understandably been booed a lot throughout the Olympics, but apparently he isn’t letting that get him down.
“At the end of the day, I think a lot of people think it’s hate,” Embiid continued.
“I see it as love and respect. If I wasn’t an OK basketball player, I would not receive that type of treatment, and so I see myself as being blessed, and that’s why I interact with them.”
Will Embiid and French fans eventually be able to find a common ground and repair their relationship a bit? Time will tell.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
