TEAM USA basketball star Anthony Edwards has come to Joel Embiid’s defense after the Philadelphia 76ers received a not-so-welcome reception from the crowd at the Paris Olympics.
French fans booed the 2023 NBA MVP before the U.S. men’s basketball team’s 110-84 victory over Serbia last week.
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Boos erupted from the stands again as Embiid, 30, prepared for Wednesday’s 103-86 victory over South Sudan, which the Sixers star would end up watching from the bench.
Local fans’ dislike of the seven-time NBA All-Star appears to stem from his decision to play for the U.S. rather than France.
Cameroon-born Embiid became eligible to play for Les Bleus after receiving French citizenship as “an alien…whose naturalization is of exceptional interest” in 2022.
He also seemed to show great interest in representing the country at the time.
However, later that year, the center also became an American citizen and, in 2024, committed to play for the US national team in Paris.
Still, the hostility he was subjected to at the Olympics confuses the former number 3’s teammates.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know why he gets booed all the time,” Edwards, 22, said via BasketballNews.
Edwards highlighted that it would be difficult to find a place in France’s starting lineup.
The host country already has a crowded backcourt, with San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama playing alongside four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
“But you have Wemby and Rudy, why would he play with you?” Edwards said after being informed of Embiid’s previous interest in playing for France.
“Wemby and Rudy, what more do you want? Do you want three seven-footers?”
After deciding to join Team USA, Embiid said it was “difficult” to choose between America, France and Cameroon.
The center suggested that the fact that his son, Arthur – born in 2020 – is a US citizen, played a role in his choice.
“I love all three options, you know, with my home country, which I love very much,” Embiid said. ESPN Last October.
USA Basketball Olympic Schedule
Men
July 28, 11:15 a.m. ET – USA 110-84 Serbia, NBC
July 31, 3pm ET – USA vs. South Sudan, USA Network
August 3, 11:15 a.m. ET – USA vs. Puerto Rico, NBC
Women
July 29, 3pm ET, USA 102-76 Japan, USA Network
August 1, 3pm ET, USA vs Belgium, USA Network
August 4, 11:15 a.m. ET USA vs. Germany, USA Network
“But I really want to participate in the Olympics, that has been my goal and my dream.
“And you add that to the fact that my son is American and I’ve been here a long time… I’m so grateful for the opportunity.
“France – the commitment they were willing to make – I really appreciate that. It was a difficult decision.”
Embiid recently spoke about the boos he has heard at the Paris Olympics.
“Nothing,” he told Joe Vardon about Atlético when asked about his reaction.
“Like I said, I’m American, I play for the US team.”
Before sitting out the entire match against South Sudan, Embiid started against Serbia, recording four points, two rebounds and a block in 11 minutes.
He was taken off the court early after fighting Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
