%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20width%3D%2239px%22%20height%3D%2240px%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%2039%2040%22%20enable-background%3D%22new%200%200%2039%2040%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cpath%20fill%3D%22%23FFFFFF%22%20d%3D%22M38.5%2C7H28.2v26h10.3V7z%22%2F%3E%0A%3Cpath%20fill-rule%3D%22evenodd%22%20clip-rule%3D%22evenodd%22%20fill%3D%22%23FFFFFF%22%20d%3D%22M26.1%2C25.5c0%2C5.8-4.1%2C7.5-12.9%2C7.5C3.9%2C33%2C0%2C31.2%2C0%2C25.2v-1.1h11.6%0A%09v2.4c0%2C0.7%2C0.1%2C1.4%2C1.2%2C1.4c1%2C0%2C1.2-0.4%2C1.2-1.3v-0.9c0-1.6-0.9-1.6-3.5-2.2C2.2%2C21.7%2C0%2C19.7%2C0%2C15.3v-0.9C0%2C9.3%2C5.5%2C7%2C12.9%2C7%0A%09c10.2%2C0%2C12.8%2C2.6%2C12.8%2C7.4v1.8h-11v-2.9c0-0.6-0.4-1.1-1.2-1.1c-0.6%2C0-1.2%2C0.4-1.2%2C1.1v0.9c0%2C1.5%2C0.9%2C2%2C3.3%2C2.5%0A%09c8%2C1.6%2C10.5%2C3.3%2C10.5%2C7.5V25.5z%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Joel Embiid Doesn't Believe Celtics Will Be a Dynasty: 'I Hate Boston'
Before the Boston Celtics took the floor in Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was pondering on the network's pregame show if the Celtics' current core has what it takes to win multiple championships and become a dynasty together.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, however, did not share those thoughts.
"I don't think so. Not with the new [collective bargaining agreement]," Embiid said on ABC's NBA Countdown. "You've got to understand—the whole East was hurt this year, myself included."
Joel Embiid on the Boston Celtics (on ESPN's 'NBA Countdown'): "I can't stand them. I can't stand them. I hate Boston... it hurts me a lot." #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/OSQZlrmwqM
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 15, 2024
The Celtics' dominance throughout their postseason run was taken with a grain of salt due to key injuries to their opponents. The Miami Heat were missing Jimmy Butler in the first round. Cleveland Cavaliers stars Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert all were sidelined for at least one game of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Indiana Pacers lost Tyrese Haliburton to injury in Game 2 of the conference finals.
Boston has fired back at that narrative in the NBA Finals, however, handling Dallas Mavericks star-studded duo Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with ease over the first three games of the series.
Embiid remains unimpressed.
"I can't stand them. I hate Boston," Embiid said. "Great city, great fans. Obviously, they've got some great players. ... But hopefully this offseason we find a way to get better and add some pieces."
When Embiid mentioned the 76ers adding pieces in the offseason, he appeared to glance at Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, who was also making a cameo on NBA Countdown Friday night.
Embiid talks about adding in the offseason and side eyes Paul George lol pic.twitter.com/JzvfL9f7oa
— Jake (@JakeMarc23) June 15, 2024
Perhaps an Embiid-George combination in Philadelphia would be enough to slow down the Celtics.
Embiid would like to find out.
Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.