Joel Embiid takes shot at Toronto Raptors, believing they have malicious intent playing against superstars: “They don't care about winning”
Joel Embiid is a legitimate superstar in the NBA today, and defenses usually have a difficult time stopping the Cameroonian big man. In a recent interview, the Philadelphia 76ers chared shared which team he thinks has a different motive when playing against superstars.
Embiid is an unstoppable force, especially when he's planted down the post. Defenses make sure for it not to happen, which is why opposing coaches come up with different counters to this type of offense. A team that has usually countered well is the Toronto Raptors, giving Embiid and the Sixers problems.
Now, The Process has shared what he thinks the Raptors do whenever they come across a superstar.
"When you play a team like Toronto, they don't really care," Embiid said. "It seems like, most of the time, they don't care about winning. They just want to shut down the other star players.
"But when you play that, you got to be ready all night. You god to stay alert and have the confidence of just keep shooting it and hope that you make them when they come."
"When you play a team like Toronto, they don't really care. It seems like, most of the time, they don't care about winning. They just want to shut down the other star players." 👀👀👀
- Joel Embiid
(Via @BySamDiGiovanni ) https://t.co/YDgb0UrJj3
In last year's playoffs, the Raptors matched up against the Sixers. The series lasted six games and Philly had a difficult time giving the ball to Embiid early in the series. Ultimately, the Sixers won the series but lost in the next round. The dominant big man averaged 26.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Embiid wasn't shooting well from three as he only connected 19% of his shots from long-distance. The five-time All-Star shot decently from the field, making 52% of his field-goal attempts.
The Raptors are an intense defensive team, and they make sure that the opposing stars work hard to get their shots.
Also read: Joel Embiid has peculiar message for panicking Philadelphia Sixers fan base: “If it was easy, everybody would do it”
The addition of Joel Embiid to the French national team would be scary
In July, Joel Embiid became a French citizen and is eligible to play for the men's national basketball team. Due to this, their team could potentially become a serious threat to other nations, especially to the U.S., which has been dominant for decades.
It's not just the potential addition of Embiid that has fans excited for France's next roster. Victor Wembanyama is from the City of Love and has shown incredible skills, making him a top NBA prospect. The trio of Rudy Gobert, Wembanyama and Embiid is a matchup nightmare for other teams.
Gobert, the Stifle Tower, shared his excitement for what's to come, but he also said that Embiid should play for France for the right reasons.
"If Joel’s heart is with us and he wants to do it for the right reasons, it would be an amazing opportunity for our team," Gobert said. "I want him to do it for the right reasons."
Rudy Gobert says no national team can stop potential French trio of Joel Embiid, Victor Wembanyama and himself: ahnfiredigital.com/nba/rudy-gober…
Also read: Rudy Gobert would welcome Joel Embiid in the France team if "his heart is with us": “You are either all in, or you’re not, you can’t just show up”