After choosing the United States, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has finally gotten his chance to play in the Olympics. The thing is, he could end up being the X-Factor for Team USA’s success in Paris or its failure to win the gold.
Despite being born in Cameroon and having the opportunity to play for France or his native country, Embiid chose to play for the United States. His decision to play for the United States has been a controversial one, particularly in France.
The French Basketball Federation was hoping to have Embiid, along with other NBA talents like San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert, on their Olympic roster. However, the Sixers star’s connection to the United States, including his son being born there, ultimately led him to choose Team USA.
While some French officials have expressed their disappointment with Embiid’s decision, the 7-foot, 280-pound center is poised to make a significant impact on the American squad. Alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, Embiid will form a formidable roster that should give Team USA a significant advantage in the quest for their fifth consecutive gold medal.
NBA Insider Brian Windhorst Drops Strong Claim About Joel Embiid’s Impact on Team USA
Throughout the past few months, various personalities have shared their thoughts about the chances of Team USA winning the gold in the Olympics. Just recently, a post shared by NBA on ESPN’s Instagram account showed NBA insider Brian Windhorst claiming that Embiid is the deciding factor for the United States.
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Last season, the Philadelphia big man averaged 34.7 points on 52 percent shooting from the field, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. However, Embiid’s constant encounters with various injuries have severely minimized his impact on the court.
It remains to be seen how Embiid will perform in the coming days for Team USA. If he does end up doing well, there’s a pretty strong chance the LeBron James-led squad will wear gold around their necks soon.
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