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Fans Loved Seeing FIBA Refs Not Falling for Joel Embiid’s Bad Flop vs. Nikola Jokić
Team USA is prepping for the Paris Olympics with another exhibition game on Wednesday, as they're facing three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
One moment from the game had NBA fans sounding off on social media. Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid tried to draw a foul on Jokic by falling to the ground while missing a shot in the first half. Normally in a NBA game it likely would have been a foul call and Embiid would have been headed to the free throw line for two shots. But the FIBA refs call things a little differently and aren't as quick to reward a player for trying to pull a fast one on them.
Here's the play:
https://t.co/LXTPe05j24 pic.twitter.com/MkD0e9YjSr
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) July 17, 2024
Fans made it clear that they wish NBA refs would follow suit:
Adam Silver gotta hire every one of them refs cause the current foul baiting award system has ruined the game https://t.co/rlQIE6CwZ1
— Devyn smith (@Devynjsmith1) July 17, 2024
We finally have refs that say enough flopping! Get up and play! https://t.co/HFS4MKVyfc
— Ali M. (@AlisArena10) July 17, 2024
Get these referees on a first class flight to Secaucus, NJ ASAP https://t.co/V55XvfMxRi
— Tom Thibadome, Owner of the Thibsdale Thibadome (@Thibadome) July 17, 2024
I support refs in any sport that don't fall for the nonsense, love this https://t.co/WwzNbPw3BZ
— Christian Lukens (@ChristianLukens) July 17, 2024
Embiid genuinely cannot play basketball without foul baiting. It’s pretty funny to see when FIBA refs don’t reward the grift https://t.co/eCnUaKXCNn
— Nick H (@NickH720) July 17, 2024
Please can we ref nba games like this https://t.co/MVAz9DRUYJ
— Karan (@ksenguptaa) July 17, 2024
This is therapeutic for me. https://t.co/JvUZzIjNAY
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) July 17, 2024
Embiid proving what everyone has been saying, he's gonna struggle with FIBA rules because a good part of his game relies on foul grifting, which aren't called nearly the same as they're called in the NBA. https://t.co/qNSvyUYcN2
— Nicholas (Astray) (@Sikund_Veltin) July 17, 2024
Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.