Philadelphia Sixers star Joel Embiid is certainly one of the most hated players in the NBA. At least currently. From constant foul baiting and dirty plays, Embiid has managed to annoy almost every fanbase in the last few years. Recently his new hated image got to another level when he reached France for the 2024 Olympics. He was being trolled by many fans when he arrived in France, many even stated they got Embiid’s passport seized.
On Thursday Team USA had their matchup against Serbia in the semi-finals of the Olympics. Fans had started the hatred towards Embiid since the start of the game. Joel Embiid faced constant booing throughout the game. However, he had a great game overall and scored 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Embiid’s 19 points helped the USA in securing the victory against Serbia as they made their way into the finals.
After the game, Embiid mocked the French fans by doing the D-Generation X signature taunt ‘suck it.’ The move by Embiid had the fans fuming and got his revenge on the fans. The reason fans were angry at Embiid was for his decision to play for the USA instead of France even after making a promise to France.
More from Embiid, on French fans booing him for choosing to play for Team USA: “They boo me, I’m going to go back at them and tell them to suck it.”
Hmm. It feels like the boos will be louder than ever during tomorrow night’s gold-medal game, yes?
— Ron Kroichick (@ronkroichick) August 9, 2024
Embiid certainly won’t have the fans in his corner for the finals where the USA will be facing the host country France. The Sixers star has been averaging good numbers throughout the tournament with 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds. In the finals, he will be facing one of the toughest matchups of the tournament in Victor Wembanyama.
France is not going to show any support to Joel Embiid in the Finals
After turning down the offer to play for them, Joel Embiid has made a lot of haters in France. The former MVP has spent most of his adult life in USA and even pays taxes there. Embiid has made it pretty clear before that he identifies as a US citizen.
This statement from Embiid has not gone well with the French fans as they have shown constant hatred towards Embiid. Many USA stars have even come in support of Embiid from the constant hate from the fans. But his disrespectful taunt against the French crowd after the game against Serbia has left the fans fuming.
In the finals of the Olympics USA will be facing France and French fans are certainly not going to be in the support of Embiid. But the NBA fans know that Embiid can thrive through the hatred as well and it will be interesting to see Embiid in the finals.
