With the world catching up, Team USA doubled its chances of capturing the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal by naturalizing Joel Embiid. However, Fox Sports sports analyst Chris Broussard says the seven-time NBA All-Star’s impact on the team’s roster has not been felt.
According to “First Thing’s First” host, Embiid has all the potential to be one of the best players in the NBA with his individual accolades but has not brought the Philadelphia 76ers beyond the second round. Among the things pointed out for his underachieving team success were injuries and a lack of a good supporting cast.
In this Olympics, Embiid has teamed up with the best players in the NBA, including LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and a few more. There are no more excuses for the former league MVP.
“He looks bad,” said Broussard, who doubled down on the criticism. “I think this is the beginning of what will be the most scrutinized stretch of Joel Embiid’s NBA career. People are going to be like, ‘No more excuses.'”
Joel Embiid has not impressed in these Olympics, and the scrutiny on him is about to be turned up this upcoming season! https://t.co/agjeDQjSgK
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) August 2, 2024
As of this writing, Team USA has played two games in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Embiid has only played in one and logged in only 11 minutes to contribute four points, two rebounds, and one block. He also missed all three of his free throws during that time.
“Joel Embiid has not impressed in these Olympics, and the scrutiny on him is about to be turned up this upcoming season!” captions Brousard on social media, showing the episode where he discussed the Sixers center’s Team USA involvement
Steve Kerr defends Joel Embiid’s DNP against South Sudan
The depth of talent on Team USA is 12-man deep and after the South Sudan victory, Joel Embiid finds himself not entering the basketball court.
With many basketball fans not used to seeing a dominating presence like Embiid being benched, this decision was defended by Team USA head coach Steve Kerr.
“That’s how we’re going to do this. Whatever we need to do to win each game, that’s what we’re going to do,” said Kerr after the game.
Aside from Embiid, Kerr had two other players logging in DNPs in their previous matchup against Serbia. Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton did not see action but played against South Sudan.
Team USA is still undefeated in the preliminaries, with a record of 2-0. They will round up the elimination round with a matchup against Puerto Rico on August 3.
For more NBA content:
Follow me on X at @ErnestLeo, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics. You can also reach out to Ernest Hernandez via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest NBA news, click here!
Ernest also handles a YouTube account called Sports On Air, which has over 102 thousand subscribers. The channel contains interviews predominantly from the Philippine Basketball Association. They can be reached through [email protected].
