What’s worse than nursing a knee injury? A $100k fine? Let us find out. The Philadelphia 76ers’ only silver lining has been Paul George returning to action. They are still 14th in the Eastern Conference with 5 losses. They hoped that their star center, Joel Embiid, would finally play his first game of the season against the Los Angeles Clippers, after being sidelined since the preseason. But that hope is lost as well.

On Saturday night after the Sixers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies at the Wells Fargo Center, Joel Embiid got hold of Marcus Hayes, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Hayes had written his column, making an unexpected reference to Embiid’s son and late brother, which caused much pain to the former MVP. Embiid confronted Hayes and “shoved” him, after a heated back and forth. However, the reporter did not respond to it physically, and both individuals were separated from the scene. Notably, Hayes had already deleted the controversial lines that mentioned Embiid’s family.

The league then immediately opened an investigation into the matter and has now suspended Joel Embiid for 3 games. NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, and the league office released a statement, saying “While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interaction must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.”

Fans react to Joel Embiid’s punishment, terming it as ‘official rest’ for the former MVP!

Netizens took to the internet to express their views about the suspension. One user commented on Instagram, “Yeah but dude wrote about his dead brother and son for no apparently reason *crying emoji*”. Certain boundaries should remain uncrossed. Writing about someone’s close relative who has unfortunately passed away is going to anger anyone. Jason Richardson, Joel Embiid’s former teammate, shared that he was with the hooper, when he learned the heartbreaking news about his brother, and the moment had left Philly’s big man devastated.

Another fan commented, “Embiid was right for what he did to the reporter. why are you asking questions like that??”. Exploiting tragedies is deeply wrong, yet resorting to physical altercations is not the answer, and violence should always be condemned.

Another user has a rather amusing take. He tweeted, “Exactly what he wanted. Should make him play 3 games instead.” As Embiid and the Sixers are treading cautiously with his knee injury, some think it’s even better to get an official “rest” from the league itself.

The 7-foot center has been facing flak from everyone as he hasn’t played a single game this season. They seem to think a rather fitting punishment would be making him play 3 matches! The new “normal” set for Joel Embiid before the season was for him to participate only in select games, avoid back-to-backs, staying in peak condition for the playoffs (most importantly).

One user tweeted “Are they going to suspend the member of the media for referencing his late brother & son?”, he is right, it should go both ways. Hayes had honestly had no business making comments on his family like that. Former hooper, Lou Williams feels what Embiid did is understandable, but clarified, “I don’t promote violence, but every once in a while, you need some straightening. You can(t) hide behind your laptop or whatever and say some of these things.” 

Meanwhile, NFL legend, Shannon Sharpe thought Hayes was not in the wrong, he said “Sports is about stories,” amidst a long debate with his co-host Chad Johnson. After everything Joel Embiid has done for the city and the franchise, he deserves respect. There should be action taken against Marcus Hayes as well!

Another user, who’s supporting the hooper here, tweeted, “For defending his dead brother?” In 2014, during his first season with the Sixers, Joel Embiid learned that his brother Arthur had tragically passed away in a car accident in Cameroon. The loss left him heartbroken. He named his son Arthur in his honor.

So, is the NBA right to suspend Joel Embiid when it was such a sensitive topic for him? Amidst the media bashing for not playing at all, what do you think about this entire fiasco? Let us know in the comments below.