"Justifiable. F**k that reporter" - NBA fans react to Joel Embiid reportedly shoving journalist who referenced late brother and son
After the 76ers' 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Joel Embiid had a heated exchange with veteran Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Marcus Hayes. The incident sent shockwaves through the NBA world.
Sympathies of basketball fans were on Embiid's side once it became clear that he had shoved the journalist for referencing his late brother and son in an article.
Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter reacted):
"Justifiable. Fuck that reporter" - Said one fan
"Everyone should be on Embiid's side on this ngl wtf is wrong with buddy?" - Another fan defended Joel Embiid
"I would do the same thing that’s messed up" - Another fan empathized with Embiid's actions
"Showing up for his family respect it" - Another fan echoed
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Embiid shoved Hayes postgame for his comments on an article from Oct. 23, titled: "Joel Embiid disrespects the Sixers, the game, its greats and himself. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are right to rip him".
In the article Hayes somewhat incogruously ripped Embiid for not showing up to work, seemingly implying that he is not living up to his brother's legacy by doing so. NBA fans took umbrage to this accusation.
"I don't blame Joel" - Said another fan
"Personal boundaries should be respected." - Suggested another fan
Embiid had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Hayes' criticism, specifically his claim that Embiid hadn't done enough for the city of Philadelphia. Embiid's frustration stemmed from Hayes' comments on his decision to never play back-to-back games again due to health concerns.
Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, shared what Embiid supposedly told Hayes before the altercation:
"The basic gist of it was basically, ‘You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player. Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth. Don’t talk about my family. Don’t bring them into this. You want to talk to me like a man and talk to me about basketball, that’s different. But if you ever talk about my family again, we’re gonna have real problems."
Who was Joel Embiid's brother, Arthur?
Joel Embiid's younger brother Arthur tragically died aged only 13 in his rookie season as a Sixer. Arthur was involved in a car accident in Embiid's native Cameroon which ultimately claimed his life.
Joel Embiid was extremely moved by this tragic incident and even considered retirement, only months after being drafted to "The City of Brotherly Love."
"Right after I got drafted, back in 2014, I thought about walking away from the game. I'm not exaggerating at all," Embiid wrote on The Players' Tribune in 2020. "I seriously considered retiring from the NBA before I'd even played one game."
In 2024, Embiid and fellow Sixer Tyrese Maxey honored Arthur in a block party in Philadelphia. As per ESPN, the 76ers and Philadelphia Youth Basketball unveiled a 70-by-10 foot mural that overlooked the "In Memory of Arthur" Court at the Sixth Man Center.
Embiid still expressed grief even a decade after the tragic incident, which comes as no surprise based on his aggravated response towards Hayes.
"It's still tough, thinking about the whole thing," said Embiid in 2024. "He's also one of the reasons why I'm doing this. He was someone that cared about everybody"