Remember those days when Joel Embiid and JJ Redick used to hoop together? Can’t fault you if you don’t remember. The two only played for two seasons in Philly before Redick moved to the Pelicans. But that was enough for the two to build a loving bond which is intact till today. That doesn’t mean though, one will have only nice things to say about the other which was on display in Embiid’s latest interview.

Since Redick joined the Lakers as the new man in charge, it was one assessment after another for the former Sixers guard. Curious statistics popped up like popcorn indicating how the average span of a HC with zero experience can only last two and a half years. Redick probably braced himself for that but didn’t really expect bad news coming from his old running mate. But beyond that was Embiid’s frustration on seeing the guard leave for no fathomable reason.

In the latest interview with the NY Times, Joel Embiid opened up about a lot of facets of the game we love. From expectations with Team USA to his anticipation of a tough crown in France, Embiid held nothing back in the candid interaction with David Marchese. When asked about his change in persona from a jolly big man to a serious one, Embiid pointed out that Redick’s exit from the franchise was a deciding factor. “2020 was probably my worst year in the N.B.A. I wasn’t having fun. Going back to continuity: We got rid of Jimmy and JJ [Redick] and basically started over. I’m just like: Why? That doesn’t make sense. The following year, we’re just struggling. We’re not as good as we should be. The whole year I’m just like, I don’t want to play basketball. I didn’t care. It was just depressing,” opened up the 7-footer.

“Before that I used to interact with the fans, always laughing. Then I became more serious. I think a lot of people in Philadelphia think I don’t care about basketball because I’m not doing what they’re used to — or I’m not having fun. Nah, I’m still having fun, but I’m just so focused. I don’t have the energy to be interacting. I’m trying to do the job. I’m just different,” Embiid concluded.

Embiid’s statement shows the evolution in a man from bitter experiences and for the Cameroonian, it was in plenty. The Process failed to drag his team to the NBA Finals year after year, but now things can change. With a budding Tyrese Maxey and a grizzled old vet in Paul George by his side, the future looks brighter than ever for the City of Brotherly Love. But what about the future of Redick? Embiid didn’t leave that unanswered as well.

Joel Embiid fears for JJ Redick’s Lakers chapter

The lights are the brightest in LA. It always has been like that and for Redick, it is turning into a blinding one. The magnitude of the job at hand of Redick is arguably one of the biggest in the league. In a business where deliver or perish is the only theme, some encouragement could go a long way, but when it came to Embiid, he did not mince his words to sound the alarm for the 40-year-old.

“Maybe he thinks that’s a perfect situation. But if you’re coming in, especially with a job like the Lakers, it’s kind of a make-or-break situation, because if you succeed, great, you’re going to be coaching for years. But if you don’t succeed, those coaches are usually bound to be fired within a year or two,” Embiid said, being the bearer of the bad news. “I love him, I’m happy for him, but that’s a tough job.”

The job for Embiid will be equally tough in Paris in a weeks’ time. On top of it, his recent performances in the star-spangled colors have earned him nothing but F- grades. With Team USA poised to take on South Sudan on July 21, it is high time for Embiid to perform to keep his place in the starting line-up. After all, anything less than a gold medal will be a disaster for Team USA with the overpowered roster they have.