After the Philadelphia 76ers lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals yet again, Joel Embiid somewhat threw his teammates under the bus.
The big man stated that he and James Harden can’t win alone and that everybody has to find ways to play better. Damian Lillard was not a fan of those comments and he doubled down when a fan asked him to watch the full clip.
“I saw the full. And I love Embiid… I also love their roster … did I miss or did you? Basketball talk not personal.”
I saw the full. And I love Embiid… I also love their roster … did I miss or did you? Basketball talk not personal. https://t.co/MIOYjaTJYr
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 15, 2023
Lillard would certainly love to have the kind of supporting cast with the Portland Trail Blazers that Embiid has with the Sixers. While Embiid’s comments don’t seem as bad when you watch the full clip, as he did state he has to be better, it still somewhat came across as him saying he and Harden need more help.
This was probably the best team of the Embiid era and there wasn’t a whole lot more the front office could have done. For all their potential issues, they were up 3-2 in this series and if their two stars had played better, they could have won. Over the last two games, Harden averaged 11.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 8.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, and 1.0 BPG and shot just 25.9% from the field. Embiid was better than him, averaging 20.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, and 2.5 BPG while shooting 37.8% from the field, but it was still well below expectations.
Joel Embiid’s Comments After The Series Haven’t Been Received Well
While many, like Lillard, didn’t like this segment of Embiid’s press conference, there was another part that some individuals really had an issue with. Embiid quoted the speech on failure given by Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he claimed these are steps to success and not failure.
Former NFL player and current analyst Emmanuel Acho blasted him for quoting Giannis but not having the kind of heart that the Greek has. Acho also stated that Antetokounmo actually won a title for the Milwaukee Bucks and that he at least showed up in their elimination game, unlike Embiid.
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