Joel Embiid has peculiar message for panicking Philadelphia Sixers fan base: “If it was easy, everybody would do it”
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers came into the 2022-23 NBA season as potential contenders. After a 14-12 start, 76ers fans want to see more from their team.
It's something that Embiid knows far too well. Philadelphia fans are some of the most passionate in all of sports. When their teams aren't performing to their expectations, fans aren't afraid to voice their displeasure.
After a slow start , many fans have started to point the finger towards 76ers coach Doc Rivers. Philadelphia has a roster full of talented pieces such as Embiid and fellow superstar James Harden. After an impressive offseason of additions, the team was expected to take a step forward towards winning the East.
So far, that hope hasn't taken any traction. The 76ers continue to float around .500. Embiid was asked about fans who wanted Doc Rivers fired. Embiid responded to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer, saying he knows the bite of fans personally.
“I don’t know,” Embiid said, shrugging. “Sixers fans, they want to trade me.”
Fischer then said “You don’t believe that.”
“I do believe that,” replied Embiid. “They want to trade me.”
Joel Embiid then said that he's doing the best he can.
“Look, all I can do is try to do my best every game,” Embiid said. “I’m grateful to be in this position, because it’s not an easy job. If it was easy, everybody would do it.”
Joel Embiid says Philadelphia 76ers fans want to trade him sportando.basketball/en/joel-embiid…
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers hope to build off recent momentum
The Philadelphia 76ers have the talent to be one of the tougher teams in the Eastern Conference. That talent hasn't resulted in a consistent movement when it comes to the standings.
Philadelphia has won two of its last five games. After a three-game losing streak, the team has won its last two games. They will look to make it three in a row as the 76ers take on the surprising Sacramento Kings (14-11) on Tuesday night.
JOEL EMBIID joined AI & WILT as the only players in franchise history with multiple 50-PT games in the same season!
53 PTS, 12 REB (63% FG)
59 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST, 7 BLK (68% FG)
https://t.co/NZgJVg8tWk
After that matchup, the 76ers will prepare for a challenging showdown on Friday night against the Golden State Warriors (14-13), the defending champions.
Superstar big man Joel Embiid has been sensational in trying to get his team on the right path.
In his last six games, Embiid is averaging 35.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. During that span, Embiid is shooting 56.1%, including 53.8% from 3-point range.