Putting up the incredible stats of 27.9 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game, Joel Embiid was crowned the king of the basketball world during the 2022-2023 season, receiving the Kia NBA MVP award. Embiid led the league in scoring and pioneered the 76ers charge to the Eastern Conference semifinals where they ultimately fell in game 7 against the Celtics. Despite winning MVP, Embiid was still surrounded by controversy regarding multiple ill-timed injuries. Even after the playoffs, Embiid ended his MVP season facing criticism for his poor performance against the Celtics, only putting up 15 points in an elimination game.
The controversy continued to follow Embiid throughout the 2023-2024 season, as a knee injury cost him a good portion of the season. Embiid faced widespread criticism for the number of games missed, and that same disapproval that has continued to follow him through the beginning of the 2024-2025 season.
The Sixers have repeatedly expressed their intention to not rush Embiid and work to ensure he is able to remain injury-free for the playoffs. President of 76ers basketball operations Daryl Morey told the media that “part of being smart about [Embiid’s health] is having Joel probably not play many back-to-backs, if any.”
Embiid expressed to Morey that they must do “whatever it takes to make sure that in the postseason I’m healthy.”
These statements were not met with enthusiasm, with critics such as Shaquille O’Neal stating “I don’t think Joel wants to be that guy,” claiming Embiid is soft due to the amount of games he has missed.
Despite only playing in 433 of a possible 805 regular season games since the start of his career, Embiid maintains that this was the best decision for his health, and often responds to critics.
Embiid was not unclear in showing his dissatisfaction with the media’s questioning of his intentions and desire to play, making sure to explain that his team is standing behind him fully in order to ensure he is fully healthy.
“When I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play’ — I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that,” Embiid stated, expressing his annoyance regarding the discourse of his dedication to the game.
Embiid’s emotions regarding the media has not been limited to his comments on his injuries, as he has now found himself in the center of controversy and received an NBA suspension due to his actions towards a reporter. During postgame media coverage in the locker room, columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer Marcus Hayes had an unsavory interaction with the Philadelphia 76ers star player.
Prior to the season, Hayes had written a piece regarding Embiid’s uncertain playing status, referencing Embiid’s late brother and son as justifications for why Embiid start playing, a piece that Embiid referenced to the media when discussing his return to play status. Embiid referenced this article in a verbal altercation with Hayes, telling Hayes to never speak about his family again before the incident became heated.
Embiid has now been suspended by the NBA for three games following this event, further delaying his season debut. The NBA issued a statement, writing “Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA.”
Embiid made his debut in a 111-99 loss against the New York Knicks, as he hopes to help the 76ers who are off to a rough 2-11 start, as of Nov. 19, in a season many are considering to be a turning point in his career. With a tough public perception, Embiid will have to prove the choice to not play back-to-back games is worth it by helping the 76ers make a deeper playoff run than last year, where they failed to make it beyond the first round. All eyes will be on Embiid as he looks to open up his season and turn the 76ers record around, and respond to critics with his on-court performance.
