Watch: Fired-up Yankees fans revive ‘f**k Embiid’ chants after big win over Royals in latest MLB matchup
Joel Embiid is easily one of New York’s most hated athletes. In a hard-fought playoff series against the New York Knicks last season, the Philadelphia 76ers superstar was routinely booed by New York Knicks supporters. On Sunday, it was the New York Yankees fans who trolled “The Process.”
Following a 6-5 win against the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, Yankees fans celebrated at Embiid’s expense. The team’s fans pouring out of Yankee Stadium lustily ripped the former NBA MVP:
“F**k Embiid!”
The chant Yankees fans busted out was popular in last season’s Knicks-76ers series. Joel Embiid has never been popular among New York fans, but he took it to another level last season. Philly’s star center was blasted on social media for pulling down Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, a move that caused Robinson to injure his ankle.
Knicks fans who traveled to Philadelphia to watch the series relentlessly mocked him inside Wells Fargo Arena, the 76ers’ home court. When New York eventually won the series in Philly, the said chant reverberated inside the Sixers’ venue.
The trolling has become a trend that even Yankees fans, and probably Knicks supporters as well, celebrate wins by making fun of the Sixers superstar.
Joel Embiid and the 76ers visit Madison Square Garden in February
Joel Embiid’s first encounter with the New York Knicks will be on Nov. 12 at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia. The rematch will be in the same venue on Jan. 15 before the 76ers travel to their rivals’ home floor.
On Feb. 26, the 76ers will be at Madison Square Garden to battle the home team. “The Process” leads a star-studded roster that includes new Sixer Paul George and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. Knicks fans salivated for this matchup on social media when this season’s schedule was released in late August.
One of Embiid's last trips to MSG saw him serenaded by New York fans with the "F*ck Embiid" chant after getting into a scuffle with a couple of Knicks.
The New York Knicks aren’t the same team that eliminated the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs last season. Home fans will be excited to see how their team fares against the Sixers in the Big Apple. Following the acquisition of Mikal Bridges early in the offseason, the Knicks added former Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.
The matchup between Towns and the "Troel" will easily be the biggest sub-heading in the game. After the Knicks’ first two meetings against the 76ers in Philly, expect the rivalry to light up Madison Square Garden in February.