Charles Barkley weighed in on Joel Embiid’s disappointing Olympic exhibiting with a harsh take.
The NBA analyst and 76ers legend criticized Embiid throughout Monday’s episode of “Podcast P with Paul George,” making remarks that the 30-year-old is off form and must be embarrassed by his efficiency in Paris to this point.
“I feel that’s one of many causes he’s at all times injured. I don’t suppose he’s in ok form,” Barkley mentioned of the Sixers’ large man. “You bought to be a little bit bit embarrassed by the best way you performed.”
Embiid completed with 15 factors, three rebounds and two assists on 6-of-14 capturing in Saturday’s 100-74 group stage victory over Puerto Rico, the place the People earned a high seed within the knockout spherical and a quarterfinal matchup Tuesday towards Brazil.
Boos echoed all through Stade Pierre Mauroy, however Embiid inspired the French crowd to get louder.
The Kansas product, chosen No. 3 total within the 2014 Draft, air-balled a near-half-court shot with simply seconds remaining within the sport, failing to assist his case.
“On the finish of the day, I feel lots of people suppose it’s hate. I see it as love and respect. If I wasn’t an OK basketball participant, I might not obtain that sort of therapy,” Embiid mentioned, per EuroHoops.
“So I see myself as being blessed, and that’s why I work together with them. I work together with that sort of crowd and that sort of stuff as a result of, like I mentioned, I’m blessed to be right here. And I’ve seen worse.”
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
Whereas the NBA star’s efficiency was underwhelming, Saturday’s sport marked the most effective contest of his Paris marketing campaign.
Anthony Edwards was the MVP with 26 factors on 11-of-15 capturing, whereas Kevin Durant grew to become Crew USA’s all-time main scorer.
Whereas Barkley’s judgment could also be on the harsher finish of the spectrum, the analyst is one among many upset within the 2023 MVP’s manufacturing.
Philadelphia followers have even jeered at him.
“They [Philadelphia fans] boo their very own guys, greater than their opponents. Typically it seems like our followers are extra towards us after they’re presupposed to be towards our opponent. However like I mentioned, it’s all love. It’s all as a result of they wish to push you. They need you to do higher. Similar to with this crowd. I get pleasure from it as a result of it makes me wish to be higher and do extra and do no matter it takes to win,” Embiid instructed EuroHoops.
Embiid, making his debut with the U.S. nationwide workforce, averaged 10.4 factors, 6.8 rebounds and 16.6 minutes per sport throughout 5 exhibition video games — all of which he began — within the USA Basketball Showcase main as much as the Video games.
Crew USA faces Brazil on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. ET, tipping off the knockout spherical at Accor Area.
