"I’m happy just chilling, just hanging out": Joel Embiid opens up on ongoing stint with Team USA amid struggles on basketball court
Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has yet to fully hit his stride with Team USA. However, he is basking in the opportunity to play alongside some of the best players on the planet.
One of 12 NBA stars selected to claim the Olympic gold medal for the United States for a fifth straight time, the Sixers big man is currently on the road with the U.S. squad on its way to its Paris Summer Games campaign, which will begin later this month.
Joel Embiid has played in all three of the team's tune-up matches. He averages nine points on 38% shooting, to go along with 6.3 rebounds, two assists and a steal.
While still finding his footing, the 30-year-old one-time NBA MVP said he is enjoying his time with his fellow league stars, telling media, by way of The Athletic's Joe Vardon:
"I'm having the time of my life... I don't have to do anything [because he is playing with stars], so I'm happy just chilling, just hanging out and doing the little things."
The Paris Olympics will mark the first time that Joel Embiid will represent the U.S. in the Games. He is coming off a 2023-24 NBA campaign where he posted career-high averages of 34.7 points, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 39 games for the Sixers (47-35).
With Team USA, he battles alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis (LA Lakers), Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors), Kevin Durant and Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White (Boston Celtics).
Steve Kerr still keen on starting Joel Embiid despite his struggles
Joel Embiid may be having his struggles with Team USA so far. However, he still has the support of coach Steve Kerr, who said he is keen on keeping the Philadelphia 76ers big man on the starting lineup.
The Golden State Warriors coach shared this in his media session in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., one of their stops on their way to the Paris Olympics. Kerr said he liked the trio of Embiid, LeBron James and Steph Curry setting the tone for the team.
He said:
"Yeah, I like those three guys in the starting lineup. We've been looking at other guys around them and we obviously have a lot of great options, but I do like those three guys in the lineup."
Joel Embiid continued with his struggles in their tune-up game against Nikola Jokic and Serbia on Wednesday. He went 2-of-8 from the field for eight points, eight rebounds and three assists. They, however, won, 105-79.
Team USA has two more tune-up games left. They next play South Sudan (July 20) and Germany (July 22) in London.
The team will begin its Olympic campaign in Group C, along with South Sudan, Serbia and Puerto Rico. Their first game is against South Sudan on July 28.