Joel Embiid Exposes Olympics Referees’ Anti-Team USA Agenda After Viral LeBron James & Stephen Curry Incident

The NBA feeling is back and the back-to-back media day events of the teams are giving off the chaotic vibe that we’re used to. Amid all this, it was Joel Embiid’s turn to add to that chaos when he went off during the Sixers’ media day. While Embiid didn’t exactly have the best of times in Paris with the scrutiny around his game and the hostile crowd situation, there was something else that bothered him much more.

Talking about his experience and FIBA gameplay in France, the Sixers C said, “I actually thought it was softer. Well, I thought we talk about flopping a lot in the NBA, but I actually thought there was more flopping. But it goes especially by guards.” And since Embiid was in payback mode, he didn’t even spare the refs from that event.

“The thing that I’ve (felt) difficult was that I felt like the referees, I felt like there was something against us Americans here,” Embiid further said about the officiating. This reaction is understandable from Embiid, as he had a front-row seat to most of the action that unfolded in Lille and then Paris. During the South Sudan game, Anthony Davis was deemed an offender after his elbow hit Wenyen Gabriel’s abdomen. The Team USA camp was in disbelief as LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant went to present their case to the referee. The incident and a specific frame of the Team USA trio surrounding the ref went viral.

But that’s in the history books as far as the NBA season is concerned. With a bulked-up Eastern Conference, the battle for the top seed will be tough, let alone the playoffs. The Sixers added some pieces of their own with the biggest being Paul George. But that only increases the pressure on the Process, the pressure to deliver. The fact is abundantly clear to the 7-footer, so Embiid made sure to let everyone know what is expected of him.

Joel Embiid is ready to overlook MVP lure for the Sixers’ success

The word on Embiid’s lips was “consistency“. With the additions of PG, Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond, the pressure on Joel Embiid is at an all-time high after years of playoff failures. To break the duck, the former MVP is even ready to ditch his wishes to win the coveted award. During the media day, Embiid made it clear that to him, team success is the only thing that matters this season.

‘We gotta do whatever it takes to make sure that in the postseason I am healthy. This year, there’s no agenda, there’s no All-Star, there’s no All-NBA,” Embiid said. He also added that this season, his role will be to lead the team and help the others around him excel. Naming Tyrese Maxey especially, Embiid highlighted that the youngster can take his game to the next level and how hard he has worked in the offseason to achieve that.

Embiid also emphasized that winning a championship is not something he can do alone and he needs more support. That’s something he’ll have in plenty this season. But will that be enough for Embiid to lead his side to the Larry O’Brien trophy, toppling his Team USA teammates? Let us know of your prediction about the Sixers’ 2024-25 season!