Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid sparked another controversy when he recently claimed to be the most hated player in the NBA. He expressed surprise to the online hate directed towards him when he said: "I'm probably the most hated guy in the league. I don't know why, 'cause I'm just cool. I don't know what's there to hate about me. I feel like a lot of people can relate to my story and what I've been through."
It's true that there is little to hate in Embiid's career since he has received scores of individual accolades including being a seven-time NBA All-Star, a five-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a three-time member of the All-Defensive Team. He was also the NBA's best in 2023 when he was named Most Valuable Player.
When healthy, the seven-foot Joel Embiid is the most dominant and unstoppable player in the NBA. His unique combination of size, skills, versatility, and shooting ability makes him an impossible cover for opposing teams. On the defensive end, he is a monster on the boards and changes shots with his reach.
During his MVP run in the 2023 regular season, he led the league in scoring (33.1 points) while averaging 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, a combined 2.7 blocks and steals while shooting nearly 55% from the field. Last season, he was on his way to another MVP Award, but injuries limited him to only 39 regular season games.
He also has a colorful personality whose social media presence (and trolling) and trash-talking on the court is both hated and loved by fans, depending on who you ask.
Embiid's statement is wholly inaccurate since while he has a lot of "haters," most fans are entertained by his social media antics and the trash-talking he does on the court. Truthfully, there are more polarizing players in the NBA. Draymond Green and Kevin Durant come to mind. But unlike Embiid, these two have multiple NBA championships under their belt. And there lies the rub.
Despite his honors, Embiid-led teams have never gotten past the second round of the playoffs. The biggest knock on the superstar center is that he disappears when his team needs him the most – the playoffs.
In the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Embiid had high turnover rates and inefficient shooting in the crucial games six and seven. Two years later versus the Boston Celtics in the semifinals, his scoring average dip by almost 10 points in the series compared to the regular season. His 15-point output on 5-of-18 shooting in Game 7 proved to be disastrous.
Personally, the hate Embiid claims he receives is not actually hate but frustration and disappointment since he has been unable to lead his team to the promised land. And his failures are usually tied to repeated injuries due to his aggressive play.
Celtics legend Paul Pierce said it best when he chimed in: "I don't think Embiid understands what it is to be hated. I was hated in the NBA... I would look at us as being more disappointed in Embiid. Not hate. He'll get the criticism because sometimes it looks as though he's not in the best of shape. We know Embiid, at his best, is probably the best player in the league."
Embiid has the potential to be one of the all-time greats but he needs to overcome his struggles come the playoffs and lead his team to a title. One title run would definitely silence most of his "haters."
raffyrledesma@yahoo.com
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