Joel Embiid embraces controversy, gives honest take on LeBron James at Paris Olympics

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PARIS – Joel Embiid says stuff. Sometimes what he says is bluster, all in good fun. That’s why Troel Embiid is a nickname. Sometimes, what he says makes a person go huh, why would he say that?

The latter is the case with the Philadelphia 76ers star's recent comments to a reporter on a podcast, telling 'The New York Times' magazine that LeBron James "is not the LeBron that was a couple of years ago. So it’s a big difference. Everybody would also tell you, and you can see for yourself, the athletic LeBron, dominant that he was a couple of years ago, is not the same that he is now.

“I think people get fooled by the names on paper. But those names have been built throughout their career, and now they’re older. They’re not what they used to be.”

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Why would he say that ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics while playing for USA Basketball on the same team as James. If he was trying to make the point that the U.S. is vulnerable as other countries improve, it was an odd way to make it.

U.S. coach Steve Kerr and American star Kevin Durant didn’t make a big deal of the comments. “We’re all different as we get older,” Durant said. “But the thing about greatness is that you adjust and find ways to continue to be effective. And that’s what LeBron has done at that age.”

Controversy quelled. Still, it puts more pressure on Embiid to perform when the U.S. needs its big men.

Bullied was one word used to describe what men’s 5x5 basketball teams did to the U.S. at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

“Everybody knows it's hard to bully me,” Embiid said.

That is true, and it’s a major reason Embiid is on the U.S. team for 2024 Paris Olympics.

After finishing fourth and without a medal at the World Cup last season, the U.S. knew it needed size and strength. They didn’t have the rebounding, rim protection and low-post effectiveness. Physical play is a big part of the FIBA game.

A dominant 7-footer can make a difference.

Is Embiid, the NBA’s 2022-23 MVP and two-time scoring champion, that player for the U.S.?

“Still be dominant – dominant as I always am,” said Embiid who has a history of high-profile matchups against Jokic in the NBA.

That dominance will be tested when the U.S. opens Group C play against Serbia and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic Sunday (11:15 a.m. ET). Though different styles, they are the two premier big men in the NBA.

“I don’t care about Jokic,” Embiid said earlier in this month.

The U.S. needs Embiid to limit what other teams’ big men do, and that includes Jokic.

Embiid started the five pre-Olympics exhibition games for the U.S. and averaged 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game. He had his best game against Germany with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one block and one steals and was a big part of the USA’s strong finish to secure 92-88 victory.

“He was great – super active,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said of Embiid’s final exhibition performance. “He just looked like Joel. He's got such great hands, great touch and I was disappointed we didn't throw him the ball more in the second half. He was dominating out there, and we kept settling for mid-range shots, high ball screen dribble, dribble, dribble, pull up 18 footers. That's a recipe for failure. So that's on me, that's on our staff, that's on our players.”

Kerr likes Embiid in the starting lineup with Anthony Davis, who has flourished in the exhibition games, and Bam Adebayo coming off the bench.

Embiid had national team choices. Born in Cameroon, he could’ve played for his native country. He also could’ve played for France, which recruited him heavily to play alongside Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama. Imagine that front line for France.

Embiid considered France but the country’s national team federation gave Embiid a deadline to decide, and he didn’t like that. France president Emmanuel Macron even texted Embiid, and the two talked on the phone. The French president's campaign to get Embiid fell short.

USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill didn’t put pressure on Embiid and told him to take his time.

“Family played a big part of it. Obviously having built my family here and really being here for now, half of my life just made more sense,” said Embiid whose son Arthur was born in the U.S.

He may hear about his decision from the crowd in France.

“Embrace it,” Embiid said. “Done it all my career. I don't think it can get worse than playing in New York in the playoffs, so I've seen it all. Boston crowds, New York crowds.”

Embiid’s injury history, including surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee that sidelined him for 29 consecutive games last season, left him a question mark for the Paris Olympics despite his commitment. He battled through knee pain and Bell’s palsy during the playoffs. He has adopted a philosophical view of his extensive injuries.

“I never worry about injuries because the moment I do, I feel like I'm not going to play the same way that I usually do and I'm not going to be the same,” Embiid said. “I've always believed if something happens, I guess it's meant to happen. So just go on with the flow.

Playing for the U.S. gives Embiid a chance to win a meaningful event. His 76ers have not gotten out of the second round, and they lost to the New York Knicks in the first round last season.

“We’ve got one goal, and that’s to win the gold, and we’re coming together with that mindset,” Embiid said. “We are not here to compete against each other. We just here to make each other better so we are on the same page so we can go out and do our best to win the gold.

But you have these options. I'm just there for the ride, realizing my dream. And then also you just got to let the game come to me. I'm fine. I play with a lot of great amazing basketball players, so if I got to take zero shots and play defense, I'm happy with it. I'm great. It is all about doing whatever you can and adding something to make sure that you win that gold.”

Even alongside a nearly 40-year-old LeBron James.