There are a few things we know for sure about Joel Embiid. Not only is he one of the best players in the NBA today, but he also loves to talk trash and wears his emotions on his sleeve. He is not someone who keeps his feelings in check, and there’s no doubt that the game against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday meant a little bit extra for him.
It was the first time that Embiid got to face off against Ben Simmons after he was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers, and you could feel the tension. While Embiid denied he was going after Simmons, it sure seemed like that was the case. The big man was also fired up after a heated exchange with Nic Claxton in the first quarter, and after converting an and-one later in the game, he got a bit too hyped up and made an obscene gesture.
Joel Embiid gesture pic.twitter.com/lPb6BQvqTv
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 26, 2023
You knew the NBA was going to take action the moment that happened, and they did, as Embiid was slapped with a $25k fine.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/EjWqNElZIW
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 28, 2023
The punishment is hardly going to act as a deterrent for Embiid moving forward. He is going to act on impulse as he always does, and while gestures like these aren’t ideal, he is not causing harm to anyone on the court, so it’s hard to be too critical of him here.
Joel Embiid Wasn’t Voted In As A Starter For The All-Star Game
Embiid didn’t have the best of games against the Nets, but he still finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds as the Sixers won 137-133. He is now averaging 33.4 PPG to go with 9.8 RPG for the team with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, but it still wasn’t enough for him to be a starter in the All-Star Game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum got the 3 frontcourt spots, so Embiid will have to come off the bench. Sixers GM Daryl Morey blasted the Boston media for snubbing Embiid and lamented the fact that they are over-represented in the selection process. To be fair, Embiid did rank 3rd in the media vote, and it was coming 4th in the fan vote that probably let him down.
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