Former NBA star Kenyon Martin isn’t letting the Philadelphia 76ers have it easy with how they’ve dealt with Joel Embiid‘s situation. Embiid recently caught up in another controversy following his interaction with a Philly columnist.
Embiid wasn’t happy with what Marcus Hayes wrote about him and his family. In a column that Hayes wrote, he criticized the star’s absence and mentioned his late brother, and his son, Arthur, who was named after the brother.
“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother,” Hayes wrote.
Hayes received a warning from Embiid following the writing and publication of the essay. “You are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to… live with the consequences,” the Sixers star said in a threat to the writer.
Joel Embiid to reporter Marcus Hayes tonight:
“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to… live with the consequences.”
(via @JClarkNBCS) pic.twitter.com/oSKkvfByYM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 3, 2024
On Saturday, it was reported that Joel Embiid shoved Hayes during a confrontation. The situation between the two didn’t escalate as they were later separated.
Martin voiced his displeasure with the Sixers’ handling of the 2023 MVP and reporter situation during Monday’s “Gil’s Arena” episode. The former All-Star blamed the organization, claiming that they could have done a better job of handling it.
“Philly, you didn’t stop him from playing in the Olympics. Definitely should’ve stepped in,” Martin said regarding Embiid’s injury. “You can step in, you’re paying him. People said, ‘Oh, they ain’t had no say so.” You had some say so.”
“And why you give the dude the media pass? He’d already made a statement and called the man by name. You turned around and not revoke his media pass the very next day?”
“Nobody is drawing these lines in the media space. There is no checks and balances that says, Guys don’t talk about people’s kids.”@BunBTrillOG and the Gil's Arena Crew empathize with Embiid’s outrage at reporter. pic.twitter.com/4ZxtRHBjvC
— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) November 4, 2024
Joel Embiid hasn’t released a statement regarding his recent interaction with the reporter. However, the NBA has launched another investigation involving the Sixers star.
The Sixers apologized to Marcus Hayes following his altercation with Joel Embiid
The Sixers have taken the high road and apologized on behalf of Joel Embiid’s actions. According to Marcus Hayes, general manager Elton Brand and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey have apologized for the incident.
“[They] expressed regret that it happened, and asked me for my version of events… They agreed that Embiid’s actions were unacceptable,” Hayes stated.
REPORT: Marcus Hayes says Daryl Morey and Elton Brand apologized for altercation with Joel Embiid, per @ginamizell.
“[They] expressed regret that it happened, and asked me for my version of events… They agreed that Embiid’s actions were unacceptable.” pic.twitter.com/Mxf1TEqxF3
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 4, 2024
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
