Joel Embiid is an NBA player that is easy to dislike, or even hate, but he doesn’t quite understand where it’s all stemmed from.
“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.”
There are a number of reasons people seem to hate the Sixers’ big man.
One of those reasons being he seems to duck smoke.
There could have been way more juicy matchups between him and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic if Embiid was healthy enough to play.
He also likes to get a little bit too honest sometimes. Like recently, when he suggested that Team USA teammate LeBron James is no longer as dominant as he was at his physical peak.
LeBron is 39 years old and doing things Embiid would never dream of. Stay in your lane, pal.
Then, there was the whole Ben Simmons fiasco in the playoffs, where Embiid squarely threw Simmons under the bus with his postgame comments.
Let’s not forget, Embiid is one of the most renowned floppers in the NBA and he had some all-time cracking flops in the season just gone.
The center has achieved a lot at Philly, except making it past the second round.
Some fans may hold it against him, even though the embarrassing playoff exits have been largely due to his teammates.
But, as the man himself says, some people may relate to his journey and what he’s been through.
The 30-year-old battled chronic foot injuries in his first two seasons in the league, but managed to push through and win his first regular season MVP in 2023.
READ MORE: Joel Embiid Addresses His Early Struggles for USA After Breakout Game