After being granted US citizenship in September 2022, it didn’t take much for Joel Embiid to make a major decision. “I love my home country, but I really wanted to play in the Olympics.” this statement from Embiid caused quite a stir, and was declared that he would play for the USAB in the Paris Olympics. France basketball president, Jean-Pierre Siutat hit out at Embiid by indicating the Sixers C’s selection of taking the easy way out. But now with only weeks remaining till the event tips off in Lille, Embiid’s focus is far away from that.

After an injury-hampered latter part of the season, Embiid has now returned to full fitness ahead of the event. The Cameroonian is expected to feature alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry‘s Dream Team 2.0. Amid the criticism over ditching France, Embiid can find some solace in the fact that he is not the first of his kind.

In a recent cinematic video posted by USAB, Embiid is seen taking the fans through his journey. He also shed light on his decision to have the USA badge in front of his jersey and credited 12-time NBA All-Star to make his decision easier. “Obviously, Hakeem (Olajuwon), having played for the US, when you start thinking about making a decision, kinda makes it easy that, you know, someone else has done it, especially someone at that level. I’m just happy. I’m just happy to be representing this country and, being here,” Embiid said in the video.

Olajuwon famously pledged allegiance to the USA and represented the country in the 1996 Olympics. USAB came back with a Gold Medal that year and Embiid hopes to replicate the same feat. But even last year, this courtesy from Embiid would’ve seemed impossible. The former Rockets C initiated a war of words with Embiid which led to a rift between the two towering men.

Looking back at Joel Embiid’s feud with Hakeem Olajuwon

The NBA has evolved rapidly over the last decade or so. No more old-school posterized or hustling inside the paint. Even the big men of the league have strayed from the old ways and made themselves more acquitted with sinking 3s. Embiid is one such specimen who represents that new breed of 3-pointer craving Centers. It did not sit well with the NBA legend, Hakeem Olajuwon. Last year, he openly criticized Embiid for spamming 3s rather than attacking the post.

“He’s got all the moves, but leveraging the moves is different. Why would he be shooting 3s?” Olajuwon raised the query. “He has the advantage every night, and if I have the advantage, I’m going to wear you out… That’s settling! When I’m tired, I settle. You don’t settle when you’re trying to win. You don’t start the game settling,” the two-time NBA Champion said in an interview.  The words reached Embiid fast and after a game against the Blazers, he ripped into Olajuwon. “It’s funny when you’ve got these old guys always talking about posting up, ‘you need to spend time in the paint,’ and all that stuff. You can’t win this way anymore. It’s not the fricking 90s or 80s like it used to be. So, they must not have any basketball IQ,” Embiid retorted.

But with the latest credit to Olajuwon, it seems the water is now under the bridge. Joel Embiid can expect a hostile crowd in France due to his controversial decision but one can expect the former MVP to keep calm. At least his visit to the Madison Square Garden should’ve given him enough practice in dealing with crowd jeering, so expect him to be just fine.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video