While Team USA cruises through the group stage of the Paris Olympics, the Joel Embiid criticism continues to escalate. Finishing with an underwhelming four points on his debut against Serbia, head coach Steve Kerr took the harsh decision of booting The Process out of the starting lineup against South Sudan. What was even more eye-opening was that the former MVP was downgraded from being a starter to getting 0 minutes in their latest encounter. But there is a chance that Joel Embiid might’ve brought all this upon himself.

Amid Steve Kerr’s decision, media veterans Anthony Slater and Dave DuFour questioned Embiid’s health heading into the Olympics on The Athletic NBA Show. Figuring out the reason behind Joel’s disappointing performances, Slater raised a concern, “I went to the Vegas game, the USA-Canada game, and Embiid still had a huge knee brace on under the sleeve. I think we forget you know how his season ended.” Obviously, he was referring to Joel’s horrific knee injury that limited him to playing only 39 games this past season.

Despite his lingering health issues, Embiid did not get the same treatment as Kawhi Leonard, who was booted from the Team USA roster last minute because of health concerns. Being a starter, spearheading the hoopers’ 5th consecutive Gold Dream, The Process only averaged 10.4 points and under 7 rebounds per game. With that, DuFour was left thinking, “I wonder if there was a little bit of seeing ‘could he play himself into shape?’”

As we saw in the Exhibition games, Joel was not in his best shape and struggled to cope with the pace of any game and regain his MVP form. “He was hurt and home and this guy is not like a gym rat. It’s not like he’s out there. He is no LeBron James, showing up to the Olympics training camp looking leaner than he finished the season.”

“I wonder if they were hoping if he could play his way into shape,” Dave remarked, questioning Steve Kerr and Co.’s decision.

What did Steve Kerr say about benching Joel Embiid, who was “dragging” Team USA down, per Slater?

Amid all the speculations, Steve Kerr broke his silence about why he didn’t put Embiid on the floor against South Sudan. Well, according to him, it was because he wanted his team to better match their opponent’s speed. Unlike the Serbia encounter, which had a Center-dominant roster with Nikola Jokic, the pesky South Sudan team relies more on their fast pace and energy. That’s why Kerr put Jayson Tatum and AD in the starting lineup instead of Embiid. Bam Adebayo’s inclusion turned out to be a super-hit move, too.

However, Slater and Dave feel that Joel is yet to find his role in the roster, “Embiid, especially with this team, I just think his style of play, it’s not gonna fit.” With his offense focused on drawing fouls, Joel has had a hard time generating offense in the FIBA setting. And maybe his lack of fitness is also hurting the team, as the media veterans said. “It seems to me Davis is in better shape. Adebayo is in better shape. He (Embiid) was dragging them down a little bit,” Slater added.

Meanwhile, Steve Kerr made it clear that Joel Embiid will get his starting role back in the next game against Puerto Rico alongside LeBron, Steph, Booker, and Holiday. And this might be the big man’s chance to prove his critics wrong. While nobody is questioning his intent on the hardwood, the country really expects him to step up and deliver, don’t you?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.