Basketball player plays in Olympics but has yet to play for his NBA team. Gets angry

[WhatInThe]

NBA basket player Joel Embid of the Philadelphia 76ers who played in the Olympics this summer but has yet to play for his NBA team /actual employer. He gets mad and shoves reporter when questioned about it.

Joel Embiid shoves reporter for bringing up ‘my dead brother and my son’ in scathing column

He says the reporter brought up family including his son and deceased brother. Apparently Embiid under fire for not playing an NBA game this year.

This is a side issue but playing in the modern Olympics isn't what it was last century. I can't even tell you who the USA team played, beat, lost to. As with many other events. But now that professionals can play in the Olympics is it really worth it? Should these teams be allowed to put no playing in the Olympics or other leagues in their 'off' time?

 

[againstthegrain]

Professionals have been playing in the Olympics for decades. It's not new.

 

[WhatInThe]

Professionals have been playing in the Olympics for decades. It's not new.

Yes but there are players that probably shortened their careers with the extra training and play more than people realize. Some it might benefit especially if they need motivation to train. Others like Embiid with injury issues should not have played this year.

For his own benefit NBA fame will go alot further than an appearance in the Olympics.

And with any player who will the public remember more. Their Olympic or professional achievements. If these guys want the million dollar contracts their obligation should be to their employer first. The Olympic are such that many retired players could take on what most the rest of the world has to offer. There should be no rush for an Olympic appearance.

 

[againstthegrain]

They are free to do what they want.

 

[That Lady in PA]

IF the league had a problem with it, they would not let the players be in the Olympics.
The league doesn't care... neither do I.

 

[againstthegrain]

Of course the NBA doesn't have a problem with it. The Olympics is the best free advertising ever in their push to become a global league.

 

[Lethe200]

But now that professionals can play in the Olympics is it really worth it? Should these teams be allowed to put no playing in the Olympics or other leagues in their 'off' time?

There are now many international players on NBA teams, and they are allowed to play for their home countries. It is clear that European pro basketball is in many ways equal to American pro basketball.

If you did not bother to watch Olympic basketball, you missed some very good basketball games. It is not a 'pushover' exercise for the US any longer; France came very close to taking the gold medal away from the US. If Stephen Curry hadn't gotten a hot hand (finally!) at the right time, the US would have won only the silver.

Based on what I saw in the quarter- and semi-finals, I fully expect Victor Wembanyama to lead the French team to an Olympic gold in 4 yrs.

This is probably the only and the last time Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry will ever be on a team together. You missed seeing something very special in that final game.