Joel Embiid’s trip to France has probably gone just as he’s expected. The home crowd hasn’t been too welcoming.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ big man struck a nerve with France after he became a citizen last summer but took his talents to the USA national team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Before it was revealed that Embiid was going through the process of becoming a citizen in the United States, it was already well-known he was obtaining a French passport. Once Embiid became a citizen of the USA, he was recruited to the national team, giving him three options.
With Cameroon failing to qualify for the Olympics, Embiid picked between the USA and France. Once he chose the former, the latter turned on him.
Throughout the 2024 Olympics, Embiid has battled with the crowd. The reception for the Sixers’ big man has resembled a primetime matchup in New York or Boston. Over the last two weeks, Embiid has responded in troll fashion, egging the crowd on and doing his signature DX chop tribute.
“They’re going to boo me,” Embiid stated, according to San Antonio Express-News’ Mike Finger. “I’m going to go back at them and tell them to suck it.”
After the last couple of games, Embiid stuck around on the court for a bit to troll the crowd with his signature move. The 76ers’ big man felt good to find continued team success throughout the Olympics as Team USA has yet to suffer a loss.
Coming off of his best game of the tournament, where he scored 19 points on 8-11 shooting from the field, and came up big defensively, Embiid is hitting his stride at the right time. Team USA will surely need a big performance from the former NBA MVP on Saturday as they face two dynamic bigs in Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama.
Joel Embiid's French Citizenship
Embiid received French citizenship in 2022, a move that fueled speculation he would represent France at the Olympics. He was granted citizenship as “a foreigner whose naturalisation is of exceptional interest” to the nation. But despite having French family members and residing in France for a significant period of his life, Embiid chose to play for the United States.
Embiid's Response to the Booing Crowd
Embiid has not been shy about his feelings towards the booing crowd. In fact, he has embraced the role of the villain. He's been seen waving his arms in the air amidst the jeers and has told the crowd to “suck it.” Embiid’s reaction reflects his confidence and his willingness to play with a chip on his shoulder. He sees the crowd’s reaction as a form of respect, recognizing that they are acknowledging his talent.
Teammates Show Support for Embiid
Embiid’s teammates have been supportive of his decision and his response to the hostile crowd. Anthony Edwards, a fellow Team USA member, has said, “it’s OK. He’s with us. Be mad. We don’t care. He chose us over y’all, so it’s all good.” This camaraderie demonstrates the bond within the team and their unwavering support for Embiid.
Embiid's Success and the Gold Medal Match
Embiid’s decision to play for the USA has proven to be a wise one. He has been a valuable asset to the team and has helped them advance to the gold medal match against France. In the semi-final against Serbia, Embiid delivered a stellar performance, scoring 19 points and blocking shots.
With Embiid hitting his stride, the U.S. are looking to win a fifth consecutive gold medal against a French team that has some of the NBA's best talent. It's a game where Embiid will need to be at his best, and he is ready to embrace the challenge. “To me it’s whatever it takes to win to gold,” he said. “So that’s what I’m focused on. It’s all about Team USA against France.”
Embiid's Triumphant Victory
In the gold medal match, Embiid's grit and determination helped Team USA secure the victory, leading to their fifth consecutive gold medal. This achievement has made Embiid the first player in Philadelphia 76ers history to win a gold medal with Team USA.
While the boos from the French crowd may have been loud, they only served to fuel Embiid's desire to prove himself and his commitment to his teammates. His story is a testament to his resilience and his unwavering pursuit of excellence, a story that will surely be remembered for years to come.
Embiid has accomplished something no other player for Philadelphia has, becoming the first Sixers player to ever win a gold medal for Team USA. Embiid is now the only Sixers to win a gold medal, and now has just one more unique accolade he needs to add to the collection: a championship, the first championship for the Sixers in over 40 years.
The celebration has begun for Joel Embiid and Team USA, deservedly so, but with training camp less than a couple of months away, Embiid must balance that celebration with resolve. He’s tasted winning at the highest level, arguably. He has also had to adjust his game to fit alongside so much talent; he now has to carry over those lessons to the upcoming NBA season.
Time will tell if he is both willing and able.
