"I'm Cameroonian": 'Disappointed' Joel Embiid fires back at Gilbert Arenas for recent comments on 76ers star
Joel Embiid was central to Gilbert Arenas’ viral comments about Team USA’s near-loss to South Sudan a few nights ago. The highly-touted Americans needed a late LeBron James layup to go up 101-100. A successful defensive stance to finish the game allowed the NBA superstars to escape with the win.
Arenas did not hold back after the Americans barely survived. He said Embiid was “throwing the game for his cousins [South Sudan] and s**t.” The former Washington Wizards star insulted Team USA’s opponents by calling them the “Ahi Ahi tribe.”
After Joel Embiid and Co. edged Germany 92-88 on Monday, the former MVP was asked to comment about Arenas’ rant. “The Process” responded:
“I might be playing for Team USA but I’m Cameroonian first and foremost. … If it was that negative, it's just disappointing because you see what African basketball has done for us to be in this position to be able to make some sort of impact."
Embiid is from Cameroon, but he has been living in the United States over the last 16 years. He would have wanted to represent his country in the Olympics, but they couldn’t make it to the tournament. The seven-time NBA All-Star eventually picked the USA over France as the team to play for in the event.
Gilbert Arenas’ comments were out of bounds. Even non-basketball fans on social media called his take xenophobic and racist. Many wanted Joel Embiid to have been more emphatic in pushing back against Arenas.
Gilbert Arenas should not have singled out Joel Embiid
Gilbert Arenas put the spotlight on Joel Embiid, but he wasn’t the only one to blame in Team USA’s embarrassing display. “The Process” had 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes. He also finished with a +15 net rating, the best among the Americans along with Jrue Holiday.
Anthony Edwards had 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting, including 1-for-7 from deep. He had one assist, one block and was tied for a team-worst -14 net rating.
Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid’s backup on Team USA had eight points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. The Americans were outscored by 14 points when the LA Lakers star took over Embiid. Gilbert Arenas’ comments about “The Process” throwing the game away couldn’t be more wrong.
Arenas isn’t also giving props to South Sudan for playing the game well. The East Africans hit 14-for-33 from deep and played physical defense that forced Team USA to struggle. Carlik Jones, a seldom-used guard in the NBA, finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals.
Jones was arguably the best player on the court that had LeBron James, Steph Curry and Joel Embiid. Arenas could have given Jones his due. Instead, the controversial podcaster belittled South Sudan and accused Embiid of quitting on Team USA.