According to the athletic report, at the Paris Olympics, Joel Embiid was booed by French fans because he chose to represent the US men's basketball team instead of the French men's basketball team. In the last game of the group stage, when the United States defeated Puerto Rico, Embiid was booed and abused by French fans again. He chose to wave to the French fans and encourage them to boo louder, provoking in this way. Hit the opponent back.
In an interview, Embiid once again talked about why he chose the American men's basketball team instead of the French men's basketball team.
"It was a tough decision, but it was all about comfort and like I said, I've known these guys (USA players) for a long time and I just felt like joining USA Basketball was better than being on the other side (France). ) more comfortable playing," Embiid said.
"There were some concerns about joining the French team," Embiid said. "But the comfort level of joining the U.S. team is very high. I always said I will go where they want me, and these people also want me."
Embiid's statement this time is different from his previous statement, He previously stated that he chose to play for the United States instead of France because his son was born in the United States in 2020.
Recently, Embiid also said that he felt that French officials put too much pressure on his selection. Those French officials believed that they helped Embiid obtain French citizenship, so Embiid should play for France.
Embiid said that he feels that he is needed by the American team, but not by the French team. This statement is both new and rare, and the senior officials of the French Basketball Association will definitely not accept this statement. What Embiid is trying to convey is likely that some players on the French team are uncomfortable with Embiid joining the team because he was not born in France and has never lived in France.
For example, in 2022, French center Rudy Gobert once said: "If Embiid truly supports us and he is willing to do it for the right reasons, then this will be a great thing for our team. opportunity.
"But I think the most important thing for us, for him and for me, is that I want to make sure that he does it from his heart, and that has to be his decision. You either give it your all or you donโt. You can't just show up. "
Other French basketball players have previously expressed on social media that they question whether a player not born in France should be allowed to join the national team.
Unlike some players in the French men's basketball team, the American men's basketball players all support Embiid, after Adebayor , Cole, etc. have all spoken out in support of Embiid. Today it is LeBron James' turn.
"We are all on Embiid's side," James said. He is in good form, we are all in good spirits and as his 11 team-mates we will give him the support he needs on and off the pitch. โ
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