SUMMARY
- Joel Embiid hit Mitchell Robinson with a dirty move in Game 3 of 76ers vs Knicks,
- Fans do not buy into Embiid's claim of trying to protect himself.
NBA fans aren’t taking too kindly towards the excuses given by Joel Embiid after his most recent actions. As most members of the basketball community should be aware, Embiid is the franchise superstar for the Philadelphia 76ers and is currently struggling to get his team through a first-round matchup against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.
Anyone n who has watched the NBA playoffs in the past will know that the intensity and pressure of these games are far greater when compared to the regular season. After all, the stakes of winning are much higher. While Embiid did manage to lead his team to victory in a must-win Game 3 at home, his actions during a certain play have fans feeling a mixture of emotions. That said, a closer look at the situation is undoubtedly required.
Joel Embiid grabbed and attempted to trip Mitchell Robinson while lying on the ground
Over the years Joel Embiid has established quite a polarizing reputation for himself. On one hand, his talent cannot be denied given that the 76ers star is arguably one of the most skilled players of his size in the NBA today. On the other, his questionable antics and flopping while seeking foul calls have gotten on the nerves of his critics.
While Embiid had a 50-point performance in Game 3 and deserved to be credited, he ended up engaging in a questionable act that was soon brought to attention. During the first half of the game, Embiid fell to the floor right after making contact with OG Anunoby. He was not given a foul call as the possession continued. Mitchell Robinson attempted to jump and secure an offensive rebound over Embiid.
After the game had concluded, Embiid was questioned about this play and justified his actions, “I didn’t mean to hurt anybody. In those situations, I got to protect myself, because I’ve been in way too many situations where I’m always the recipient of the bad end of it. It was unfortunate.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt anybody. In those situations, I got to protect myself, because I’ve been in way too many situations where I’m always the recipient of the bad end of it. It was unfortunate”
– Joel Embiid
(Via @PHLY_Sixers ) pic.twitter.com/uXfUUcMrdc
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 26, 2024
Upon hearing Embiid claim that his actions were an attempt to protect himself from potential damage, fans took to social media to share their thoughts on his narrative.
NBA fans call out Joel Embiid about his claims of always getting injured
Due to Embiid’s history of engaging in reckless plays in order to receive favorable foul calls, fans were not convinced that his act was in the interest of self-preservation. Some even questioned if he had ever been the recipient of such dirty plays and truly had nothing to do with them.
grabbing a guy’s ankle while he’s jumping for a board is protecting yourself? pic.twitter.com/jCUudvoH4n
— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) April 26, 2024
How does this make an ounce of sense
— Omar (@KingBacca22x) April 26, 2024
It turns out that Joel Embiid has been awarded more flagrant foul calls when compared to Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green. Since it has been established by many that Green is a dirty player, one could argue that Embiid is cut from the same cloth and deserves no sympathy.
In any case, both Knicks and 76ers fans are glad that neither Embiid nor Robinson were hurt as a result of this questionable play. The series now progresses to Game 4 as the 76ers look to tie things up at 2-2 and the Knicks hope to take a 3-1 lead in this first-round matchup.