76ers’ Joel Embiid Says He’s ‘Probably the Most Hated’ NBA Player: ‘Don’t Know Why’

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJuly 24, 2024

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Joel Embiid doesn’t understand the hate.

But he feels it.

“I’m probably the most hated guy in the league,” the Philadelphia 76ers star said during an appearance on The Check Ball Show. “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.”

ClutchPoints @ClutchPoints”I’m probably the most hated guy in the league. I don’t know why cuz, 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.”

Agree with Joel Embiid?

(via @TheCheckBall)pic.twitter.com/LBr2mptMS9

There is plenty to admire about Embiid.

For one, he battled through chronic foot injuries that sidelined him for the first two seasons of his career after the 76ers selected him with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft. He also played just 31 games in his third season but has still managed to become one of the top players in the league.

He also helped turn around a 76ers squad that was among the worst in the league in the middle of a rebuilding process. Philadelphia has made the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons.

However, Embiid is also one of the more outspoken players in the league and has certainly done his fair share of trash talking.

He is also viewed by some as one of the NBA’s biggest floppers, which could contribute to the perceived hate he feels.

NBA discourse also frequently focuses on championships and delivering on the biggest stages, and Embiid’s 76ers squads are yet to make it past the second round of the playoffs. The playoff failures have rarely been because of him, but some fans will surely continue to hold that against him until he does win a title.

Perhaps he can do just that during the upcoming season now that the 76ers added Paul George this offseason.

For now, though, his focus is on helping Team USA win a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.