Team USA remains a basketball powerhouse. They have been since the invention of the beautiful game. No other team has been as prolific as the US. Still, with a fifth consecutive gold medal to chase, USAB put together a roster brimming with fame and basketball excellence. There are multiple-time MVPs like LeBron James and Curry clubbed with generational stars such as Kevin Durant. The expectations have never been greater. And there’s no reason to be humble. Right?

In spite of the revered cast, Joel Embiid’s recent interview echoed uncertainty regarding the Team USA forces. In particular, he spoke about the 39-year-old LeBron James, suggesting he wasn’t the player he once was. This came days after the team voted the King as the best player. When Stephen A. Smith was asked about his reaction, the Michael Jordan fan was perplexed. After heaping praise on the King, he confronted Embiid’s attitude. Or rather, the ESPN analyst laid waste to the 76ers superstars’ claim and piled further expectations for him to “dominate” in Paris.

“I think Joel Embiid is in the conversation as one of the greatest talents as a big man we have ever seen in the history of basketball. But he’s 0-5 lifetime in conference semifinals. He’s never been to a conference final. He’s never been to a Finals… And so here you are on the Olympic stage. All I’m saying is this. ‘Going for the gold’. I don’t want to hear all that. I don’t want to hear about you’re not what you think we are. We’re this on paper but we’re really not. Nah!

“That might be true Harry. I’m not saying he lying now. I’m just saying for me, I don’t want to hear that. I want to hear that after you win or I want to hear that from somebody else who has won. But you? No, no. I need you to be that dude that you are when you healthy so you can dominate and bring it home,” Smith passionately explained.

For Joel Embiid, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to not only fulfill his Olympic dream but to win for the first time in his decorated career. The Cameroonian center has established himself as the ‘bully’ in the NBA. Now, with him being with the tournament favorites and the track record he has, there’s no reason to understate the teams’ expectations. The group put together has been compared to the iconic 1992 Dream Team. There is no other expectation than to win. Rather, most would expect this team to rule over oppositions like the Dream Team did.

So far, Team USA has won all their exhibition games. Even though they had to break a sweat at times, the LeBron James-led side never seemed rattled. The same can’t be said about Joel Embiid.

Joel Embiid needs to turn into a force for Team USA

A few months ago, before a grueling meniscus tear, Joel Embiid was on track to join Wilt Chamberlian. At the time averaging in excess of 35 points, he would have the second player to average more points than minutes played. He managed to return to the postseason but never seemed fully healthy to compete.

But when he committed to Team USA (had a choice to play for France or Cameroon), Embiid had healed from most of his ailments. As an MVP caliber force joining a high-profile group, he was expected to dominate. But so far it’s been a struggle to adjust. Embiid has been careless with the ball, making unforced turnovers and failing to adapt to the international culture of basketball.

His scoring output has drastically dropped, and he is unable to prevail the way he does in the NBA. Despite Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo both showing greater command, Steve Kerr is adamant about starting The Process. And he has all the reasons to. Once in his groove, Embiid becomes flawless and his energy only grows with the game.

Nonetheless, it all starts with him having a statement performance first. As someone who thrives off the momentum and personal production, Joel Embiid needs to be brutal and unforgiving to the rivals. Tonight, Team USA plays their last exhibition game against Germany. It’s a chance for The Process to get out of the rut he is stuck in and strike back at the same team that eliminated Team USA from the Fiba World Cup 2023.

A big night awaits for Embiid. Will he do what Stephen A. Smith wants him to or will his downfall continue? Let us know what you think in the comments below.