Joel Embiid is only one of the many stars representing the United States in the 2024 Olympics, so it’s hard even for someone like him to stand out in such a loaded roster. The fact that a 39-year-old is currently the best player on the roster against South Sudan and Germany shows how stacked the roster is.
However, the conversation takes a turn when it comes to Embiid with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cameroon-born center—who could have represented France in this year’s Games—is at the front and center of the team’s dreams of winning the Larry O’Brien trophy.
While no one will deny Embiid’s spot as one of the best players in the league for years, he and the Sixers don’t have any silverware to show for it. While there are various reasons behind their struggles in the past decade, they now have a good chance at making the Finals.
While Embiid is focused on helping Team USA win, he made a claim on his career that some fans might agree to.
Joel Embiid thinks his play with the Philadelphia 76ers makes him the ‘most hated’ NBA player
In a recent appearance at the Check Ball Show, Embiid claimed that he’s probably the NBA player who’s getting the most hate out of everyone in the league.
Per Joey Mistretta of ClutchPoints:
“I’m probably the most hated guy in the league,” Embiid said. “I don’t know why… I’m just cool. I don’t know what’s there to hate about me. I feel like a lot of people can relate to my story and what I’ve been through.”
It’s understandable to see why fans wouldn’t like Embiid. A player who averages 34.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 5.6 APG, and 1.7 BPG while shooting 52.9% from the floor and 38.8% from deep is going to be hated by opposing fans.
However, his confident demeanor just rubs fans off the wrong way. Be it his in-game taunting, social media banter, or his personality, fans will find reasons to be pissed off with the 30-year-old center.
Being hated by opposing fans is part of the job description for NBA players. As long as Embiid’s pleasing the Philadelphia 76ers fanbase, he can just focus on being himself and push the Sixers to an unlikely NBA championship run.
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