"You want three 7-footers?": Anthony Edwards hilariously reacts to Joel Embiid being booed by fans ahead of Team USA vs. South Sudan
Anthony Edwards has noticed the French crowd is not particularly fond of his Team USA teammate Joel Embiid. The Philadelphia 76ers center has been loudly booed by the home fans particularly when he enters the arena or plays for the Americans. Nobody among Edwards’ NBA superstars has received such treatment from the crowd.
The vitriol directed at Embiid likely came from the former NBA MVP’s decision to choose the USA over France for the Olympics. He allegedly promised to play for Les Bleus before eventually committing to join the star-studded USA Basketball team. The French are subsequently expressing their frustrations and anger behind the boos.
When Anthony Edwards knew the reason behind the home fans’ attitude, he responded:
"But you got Wemby [Wembanyama] and Rudy [Gobert]; why would he play with y'all? Wemby and Rudy, what more do y'all want? You want three 7-footers?"
7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and Rudy Gobert, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and Edwards' Timberwolves teammate, banner France. French coach Vincent Collet uses a double-big starting unit with two seven-footers in the starting five. Collet would not likely use three to open games so Gobert could be off the first five.
Still, having Joel Embiid would have been a big boost for France’s goal of getting another gold medal. It would also take away from the already stacked Team USA one of the best players on its roster.
Anthony Edwards, Embiid and the Americans aren’t in France’s path in the group stages. The two could meet as soon as the quarterfinals, a showdown where the French will be even more intense in their booing of “The Process.”
Anthony Edwards thrives in Olympics while Joel Embiid struggles
Edwards has come off the bench for Team USA in the Olympics in two straight games. He is averaging 12 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 18 minutes per game. “Ant-Man” has arguably been the Americans’ standout non-starter performer in Paris.
Edwards has thrived but Joel Embiid has struggled on the international stage. “The Process” was taken out early in his Olympic debut against Serbia and played 11 minutes, the least in the team. He had four points, two rebounds and was outclassed by his NBA rival Nikola Jokic.
Steve Kerr rotated the starting five and benched Embiid in Team USA’s showdown against South Sudan. Kerr explained that he wanted Anthony Davis in the middle versus the "Bright Stars." The coach added that Embiid will play versus Puerto Rico in two days.
The French are only too willing to pile on the boos and whistles because Joel Embiid has underwhelmed so far.