Joel Embiid decided to play for Team USA, despite holding both French and American citizenship. This rubbed many the wrong way. But there is one more thing to consider: His health and injuries. He has been clocking inconsistent performances and it looks like a LeBron James rescue mission might be needed. In the wake of all this criticism, the 30-year-old shared an update.

While he’s fit now for Team USA, potential injuries could derail Embiid once again. Since his college days, the Cameroonian has crossed paths with ailments. He missed his entire rookie year because of a back injury. Then last season, when on a historical trajectory, Embiid tore his meniscus. Now, at 30, he said, “I’m blaming myself. A lot of that stuff could be negative because if I didn’t have those stuff, maybe I could play more minutes. Maybe I can close games at a higher level.”

Embiid isn’t wrong here. His physical injuries also affected him mentally. In April, he talked about how he felt low about not being able to play. He was disappointed, and it took him a while to get over.

Further, speaking on The Check Ball Show, dated July 24, the player said, “Because I don’t exert so much energy. And then by the time the fall quarter comes in, I just have no more because my body’s not allowing me. So like, yeah, like, I just gotta, you know, can’t give up,  got to keep walking, got to keep pushing myself. I tell him (his friend sitting beside him) all the time I’m like I want to win, I want to win so bad,” he said.

From the time Joel Embiid won his maiden MVP in 2023, he has laid out his goals very clearly. It’s to win the championship. However, rotten luck has prevented him from even making it to a Conference Finals yet and he’s the only MVP in this infamous bracket.

The basketball player has also found solace in foregoing his biggest dream. “I know I’m trying everything that I can. I’m playing, I’m pushing myself. I’m playing through injuries. But then again, I also understand now, like, at the end of my career, you know, if I don’t get one, that’s, that’s okay. I won’t regret.”

But one thing that cannot be questioned, and that is Embiid’s heart. Going through painful injuries, the dynamic center has shown resilience and has been on the floor for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, this season and for the future that Paul George now spends in Philly, health is the only factor that can crush their expectations.

When Embiid was healthy, the Sixers went 31-8 in the games the elite center played in. Eventually, they had to go past the Play-In to make the playoffs. His presence on the floor will be of paramount importance. If Joel Embiid can play over 70 games (he never has in his career), the Sixers will have a legitimate chance of not only being a fierce team but also winning a Championship in the coming season.

That being said, the Championship dream is currently on the back-burner because Embiid is currently in Paris, gearing up with the Dream Team 2.0. And his inclusion in the team has invited a lot of criticism.

Joel Embiid “expected” criticism after landing in France; Fan demands his passport

Joel Embiid, as a proud part of the star-fueled Team USA, touched down in Paris today. It’s safe to say that the French audience wasn’t particularly flattered to have him there for obvious reasons. To jog your memory, before declaring his allegiance to Team USA, he had a choice to play for either Cameroon or France. From the two, his talks with France had seen significant development.

After the player’s request and letter to President Emmanuel Macron that he was considering representing France, The Process was handed a French passport in good faith, providing him assistance to ensure he joined Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. Well, he is a part of Team USA now. Hence, French fans were mad.

“Give back your passport. You should have played for France. You’re not American,” a French fan heckled at the Sixers ace as he tried to get on the team bus. But why did he decline the opportunity? He recently stated the tensions between France and his homeland of Cameroon as reasons for not choosing to play for them.

“I still got my family living in Cameroon, and I don’t want to put them through any of that stuff. I want them to be safe, and the relationship between France and Cameroon or Africa in general is just not good,” Joel Embiid said. Regardless, the player expects a lot of boos because of his decision and he is mentally prepared for it.

Team USA will begin their 2024 Olympics journey against Nikola Jokic and Co. in a few days. The Stade Pierre Mauroy Arena, packed with French fans, will dish out even worse treatment every time Joel Embiid touches the ball. Luckily, The Process has some experience with being the villain and Team USA has a bigger agenda to follow, which is their mission to their fifth consecutive gold.

For more interesting content by EssentiallySports, watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where the prodigy puts Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr under the pump with loaded NBA questions and more in this video below.