Joel Embiid achieved his Olympic tale on October 5, when he accepted Grant Hill’s proposal to play for Team USA. It restored the hopes for the basketball giants to relive their domination in the competition. However, for one nation, it meant a broken promise. Before the US, reports claimed The Process had relayed his desire to play for France, the host of the Olympics, during the 2021-22 season.

The basketball federation of France couldn’t let the chance skip past them. With the help of the French basketball president Jean-Pierre Siutat, Embiid was awarded his passport. The deal seemed to be done until the October meeting. Likewise, Embiid’s decision enraged the French crowd. But none might be as upset as Frederic Weis, a former French basketball player who loathes “dirty guy” Joel Embiid.

“I consider this boy a great player as much as he is a dirty guy. I hate him for the things that he did. I think he doesn’t have any respect for France and also for all the people who are asking for a French passport and don’t get it. And under the pretext that he is a great athlete, he got it. I find it scandalous, I find it embarrassing. I don’t care about his excuses, cause they are his words, and his words mean nothing,” he told Euro Hoops in April. 

His sentiments run parallel with the reception French fans gave Joel Embiid when he arrived for the Olympics. Several fans hurled comments with some even asking him to return his passport. It further continued during Team USA’s imposing win against Serbia during their opener. It didn’t matter what quarter. Each time the Sixers ace touched the ball, a roar of boos drenched the Lillie arena.

It affected Joel Embiid severely, who only played 11 minutes, contributing a measly four points to the tally. The 30-year-old bludgeoning center also couldn’t make any of his three free throws owing to the jarring cry from the entire arena. It’s safe to say Embiid is going to have to endure the torture every time he steps on a court in France.

It’s not just Weis who feels betrayed, but the entire France basketball fanbase.

Nothing new for Joel Embiid

For those who have followed Embiid through his NBA career, a major part of his persona is him embracing the villainous role. Embiid isn’t swayed by hecklers. In fact, he uses it to feed into his motivation. Additionally, the superstar isn’t one to stay mute in such strenuous atmospheres either.

As the fans engage with him, Joel Embiid does the same. Taunts and mocking are a common part of his strategy to rile up the rival fans. He is especially despised in NYC. The passionate basketball fans don’t leave their team alone, let alone the Sixers center. But Embiid doesn’t mind it.

“I love New York. New York is my favorite city in the world. I have a place here for the past five years. I just love New York. If I’ve got to be the punching bag and you hear a lot of ‘F Embiid,’ that’s ok. I love it,” he said back in April after an overtime win at the Garden.

Even before coming to Paris, Joel Embiid acknowledged the animosity the France crowd could have toward him. But even then, his thought process about being the villain didn’t change. “I expect a lot of boos. But I actually love it. It’s not going to be anything I haven’t seen,” he said.

Well, looks like he was right.

For more thrilling content, make sure to watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12, which puts Bulldogs’ Silas Demary Jr. under the pump with loaded NBA questions in this video below.