Timberwolves Star Questions Fan Reactions for Sixers Star Joel Embiid

Anthony Edwards reacts to Joel Embiid's critics in France.
Nov 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) reach for a loose ball in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) reach for a loose ball in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

It is no surprise that France is upset with Joel Embiid.

After the Philadelphia 76ers center committed to Team USA over France and Cameroon for international play, the Sixers center has taken a lot of heat in the press.

When he arrived in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, Embiid was greeted by frustrated fans right away. Before the matchups against Serbia and South Sudan, the All-Star center couldn’t escape boos from the crowd as if he was playing in Boston or New York.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards likely understands the circumstances, but at the same time, he questions the reaction.

“I don't know why he gets booed all the time," Edwards told reporters, according to BasketNews. “You got Wemby and Rudy; why would he play with y'all?”

Edwards raises a valid concern, which was a popular one when Embiid was mulling his decision to choose between representing three countries on the Olympic stage. France was guaranteed to have popular centers, such as Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama, no matter what Embiid’s decision was.

While the MVP-winning center would’ve added a ton of star power to the lineup, his fit would’ve been questionable.

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“What more do y'all want? You want three 7-footers?” Edwards reportedly joked.

The boos have been a lot, but it hasn’t bothered Embiid. Ahead of Wednesday’s game against South Sudan, the Sixers center was seen riling up the crowd, encouraging more noise as the boos rained in.

Not only is Embiid used to the critics that come when outside out South Philly, but he certainly anticipated a not-so-warm welcome in France this summer. The seven-time NBA All-Star is just focused on helping Team USA achieve its goal of winning the gold.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA