Going into the 2024 Paris Olympics, Joel Embiid’s decision to play for Team USA was not well received by many. After all, the player has roots in Cameroon and also holds French Citizenship! Furthermore, in a letter dated back in 2021, The Process promised President Emmanuel Macron, “I, therefore, do not wish to play for any other national team,” the one of choice being France. And then, he joined Team USA. With the Olympics now ironically taking place in Paris, the vet has been the subject of a variety of hate.

With Team USA’s first matchup against Serbia having concluded yesterday, NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson discussed the same on their ‘Nightcap’ pod. Joel Embiid’s 11 minutes on the hardwood saw boos erupting from all across the arena, especially when he had possession of the ball. Johnson indicated that he wasn’t surprised at the unwelcoming reaction, given how the player seemingly recanted from his earlier promise.

Despite this, Chad was confident that the boos are something that the player can handle. “Being Joel Embiid in general, and at times when he played a certain way in stadiums, he gets booed here in the States, depending on who they’re playing.”

“I’m assuming he’s used to that. He plays in Philly, we know how Philly fans are. Hey listen, so I’m sure he’s used to it. He knows what comes with the territory when he decided to play for Team USA. So, I’m sure it’s not going to bother him at all. If anything, he probably gonna go out there and cut a goddamn rug,” Chad concluded. However, the exhibition series also did not see Joel performing at an impressive level. And against Serbia, the 30-year-old center could only put up a score of 4 points and 2 rebounds.

Despite this, head coach Steve Kerr has insisted on keeping the player in the main lineup. This, according to NBA analyst Jason Timpf, is the result of an alleged unspoken deal. “This most probably has to do with sort of under-the-table deal to try to get Embiid not to play for France instead. Right?”

“Team USA kind of needed a big and France had Wembanyama and Gobert,” Timpf boldly claimed while discussing the possible reasoning for the deal. And fans have not taken kindly to this ‘betrayal.’ It was noticeable after one of them saw him boarding the team bus in Paris and yelled, “Give back your passport. You should have played for France. You’re not American.”

On the basketball court, where he couldn’t avoid the crowd’s opinion, Joel Embiid was met with unwanted jeers in pregame scrimmage, coming off the bench, possessing the ball, etc.

Fortunately, The Process had already prepared himself for such a situation.

Joel Embiid was ready for criticism after declaring for Team USA for only 2 reasons

Joel Embiid’s decision to play for Team USA instead of France was not made on a whim. It all had to do with what the country meant to him. After all, despite originating from Cameroon, he has called America his home for 10 years because of his association with the NBA. “I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve been incredible since the day I came here.”

“But most of all, I want to honor my son who was born in the US. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him” Joel Embiid expressed through a statement on X. So, the alleged ‘betrayal’ by the Sixer remains to be proven by Jason Timpf or anybody else.

On the other hand, the 30-year-old was aware of this reality eventually going to hit him. “I expect a lot of boos,” said Embiid. “But I actually love it. It’s not going to be anything I haven’t seen.”

The public cry of disapproval won’t matter much to Joel Embiid once he gets his hands on the Olympic Gold medal. With Team USA having won their first matchup against Serbia, the odds of the same happening are much better than before!

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.