It has been nearly a month since Joel Embiid became a part of Team USA, but he continues to have difficulty finding his place within the team. During the first game of the Paris Olympics, LeBron James and his team competed against Serbia. Although Kevin Durant shined with his excellent shooting, it was the altercation with Philadelphia 76ers’ center Joel Embiid that grabbed everyone’s attention. Tim Legler, ex-Golden State Warriors player, offered some sharp criticism and guidance to the 7-foot center.
Embiid’s early struggles
Throughout the exhibition games, many voices clamored for Anthony Davis to replace Embiid in the starting lineup, citing the latter’s struggles. In the first three games, Embiid averaged just 7.7 points with a 37% field goal percentage. His attempts to draw fouls from international referees were largely unsuccessful, and defensively, he contributed little while averaging 2.7 turnovers per game.
Despite these challenges, head coach Steve Kerr has continued to start games with Embiid. In the latest game, Embiid’s performance was again underwhelming, with just 4 points on 2/5 shooting in 11 minutes. Tim Legler, speaking on the All NBA Podcast, remarked, “Embiid did not look in flow but he also didn’t look like he was thrilled about being there.”
The health factor
A report indicated that both Embiid and Anthony Davis were unwell before the game but played at Steve Kerr’s request. Legler added, “He looked miserable. I don’t know what was going on with him. Is it just not fun for him? Playing on a team like this should be a thrill, especially given its status as one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Some guys adapt because they want to win a gold medal and represent the United States.”
Legler’s comments underscore a broader concern that Embiid isn’t meshing well with the team.
Rumors of an ‘under the table’ deal
Adding to the intrigue are rumors of an “under the table” deal. Legler suggested a possible solution to Embiid’s woes, indicating that a different role might better suit him.
Tweaking Embiid’s role
Team USA showcased its perimeter shooting prowess against Serbia, hitting 18 three-pointers with a 56.3% shooting percentage. In this context, having a traditional big man like Embiid in the starting lineup seemed unnecessary. Legler suggested, “Starting the game by feeding the ball to the post on a team like this doesn’t make much sense. With the perimeter shooters spreading the floor, Embiid could dominate one-on-one with space in the middle.”
Underperformance despite advice
Legler’s advice, however, hasn’t seemed to make a significant impact amid ongoing rumors. Fans are calling for Embiid to be benched due to his inconsistent performances. Jason Timpf, on his podcast, speculated, “This might have to do with some sort of under-the-table deal to prevent Embiid from playing for France instead.”
Timpf’s comments bring up a controversial point: the uncertainty about whether Embiid would play for France. With two 7-footers already on the team, Timpf’s allegations remain unproven and contentious.