Joel Embiid made what was viewed as a controversial decision heading into the 2024 Olympics.
He had eligibility to play for a few different teams but decided to represent the USA at this year’s games.
While this decision was received well by Team USA, fans from France were less than enthused, as they had one less star competing for their home country.
As a result of his decision, French fans made their discontent very clear in the United States’ opening game against Serbia, where Embiid was booed by the home crowd.
Anthony Edwards defended Embiid after this game, providing context to his difficult decision.
As Edwards said via Basket News and NBA Central, “You got Wemby and Rudy; why would he play with y’all? Wemby and Rudy, what more do y’all want? You want three seven-footers?”
Anthony Edwards calls out French fans for booing Joel Embiid
“You got Wemby and Rudy; why would he play with y'all? Wemby and Rudy, what more do y'all want? You want three 7-footers?” 😅
(Via @BasketNews_com ) pic.twitter.com/nFIk6zuRto
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 1, 2024
As Edwards indicated, the French team already had Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert on their roster.
While Embiid is viewed as one of the best players in the NBA, it would have been difficult for all three big men to take the court at the same time.
There’s only so much movement a team could accomplish with three seven-footers on the same court, which could hinder their chances of success down the stretch.
The French fans might not like it, but Embiid made his choice, which was to join the All-Star-studded Team USA at this year’s games.
Team USA has looked dominant thus far, and if they end up winning the goal medal, his decision will be well worth it.
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