Joel Embiid is known around the league for many things. He’s one of the most talented two-way players in the league, an impactful big man, and one of the NBA’s finest entertainers.
But more than that, people often talk about Embiid’s sense of humor. He’s a self-proclaimed troll and it seems like he’s always joking and trying to make fun of, well, everybody.
Nonetheless, Embiid has never hesitated to praise his rivals. He gives credit where it’s due and it’s brutally honest at times.
Some months ago, Embiid used his comedy skills to laud Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, citing that he really likes his game and that he’s his childhood hero:
“He’s great. Like I’ve been saying, I’m a big fan. He’s my childhood hero, so I watch him all the time. I like his game and – you know – I… just like him,” Embiid said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU62fJxgB3I
This could’ve been true if it wasn’t for the fact that Embiid was born in 1994 and Jokic in 1995. Also, he got into basketball at a late age, so it’s pretty unlikely that he knew of Jokic’s existence growing up in Cameroon. Hell, most of us didn’t know who he was until the Nuggets took him in the Draft.
But that’s just classic Joel Embiid right there. For what it’s worth, he did laud the reigning MVP’s game.
Both big men are coming off career-best seasons. Embiid averaged 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game on 51% shooting. He was a strong candidate for MVP until suffering an injury.
As for Jokic, he took home the award after averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers per game on 56/38/86 shooting splits while playing all 72 games. That’s some childhood hero.
