Joel Embiid goes off on ‘bulls–t’ criticism for controversial resting

Joel Embiid is tired of the critics. 

The Philadelphia 76ers center has yet to make his 2024-25 debut with what the team is calling left knee management, and he’s calling BS on those who say otherwise. 

“I’ve broken my face twice. I came back early with the risk of losing my vision,” Embiid told reporters on Friday. “…When I see people saying, he doesn’t want to play, I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. I do think it’s bulls–t … I’ve done way too much for this f–king city to be treated like this.”

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have led the chorus of criticism nationally against Embiid.

Embiid directly mentioned Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes in Friday’s press conference after Hayes wrote a scathing column calling the center “the least-dependable superstar in the history of the game.”

Embiid took part in five-on-five scrimmages this week, according to ESPN, although he is expected to miss his fifth straight game on Saturday against the Grizzlies. 

Warning: Graphic Language

The former NBA MVP, who has dealt with numerous lower-body injuries throughout his 10-year career, said his return to the court will count on “trusting” his balky right knee, but he anticipates playing “pretty soon.”

“I think it’s about being comfortable, trusting it,” Embiid said. “I want to be at my best. I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m afraid if I do this, I might do something…Mentally I’m just dealing with getting that trust back. “

Earlier this week, the 76ers were fined $100,000 for “inconsistent” statements on Embiid’s health as the season started. 

Embiid has been sidelined for the 76ers’ first four games despite playing an important role during Team USA’s gold medal run at the Paris Olympics over the summer. 

With Embiid and free agent addition Paul George, who is also dealing with a knee injury, out, the NBA title-hopeful 76ers are 1-3.

After being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid missed the first two seasons of his career with injuries, making his debut in 2016. 

Since then, Embiid has played in just 433 of a possible 805 regular season games.