On paper, the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team should cruise through the Summer Games in Paris. But the games aren’t played on paper, and the international game is decidedly different from the NBA. That includes how the games are officiated.
That’s part of the adjustment that comes with these pre-Olympic showcase exhibitions for the USABMNT. And for Joel Embiid, the officiating will take some getting used to.
Last season, Embiid averaged 11.6 free-throw attempts per game, which would have put him atop the NBA if he qualified statistically. And to Embiid’s credit, he knows how to work NBA officiating in his own favor. That didn’t exactly work in Wednesday’s showcase matchup with Serbia as Embiid tried to get a soft foul called on Nikola Jokić. FIBA refs were having none of it.
https://t.co/LXTPe05j24 pic.twitter.com/MkD0e9YjSr
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) July 17, 2024
Rather than going up towards the basket, Embiid looked to initiate contact with Jokić before moving into his actual shot attempt.
The ref was not falling for that at all. He just stood there as Embiid essentially wasted a scoring opportunity.
Fans actually enjoyed seeing how FIBA refs didn’t fall for the foul baiting.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
FIBA physicality being allowed in the NBA would fix so much compared to the gimmicky solutions people throw out like removing the corner 3 https://t.co/1iOv4Iybut
— Justin Rowan (@Cavsanada) July 17, 2024
Hype obsession with 3s and FTAs created this. (Disclaimer: I love 3s and FTAs so I hope you can understand my point) https://t.co/gamH2xBS6d
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) July 17, 2024
I speak for everyone when I say to PLEASE get me these FIBA/Olympic refs in the NBA https://t.co/wUQIc58Ndp
— Stifle-Tower27 (@Stifle_Tower27) July 17, 2024
is embiid actually good at basketball or is he just really tall and good at fooling nba refs https://t.co/Wr0M6POnn2
— mason (WOLVES BACK) 🌲🐺 (@imonlymason) July 17, 2024
Joel would've had a better chance of scoring and drawing the foul if he went toward the hoop instead of at Jokic's body https://t.co/14KRbXoTIV
— ShwinnyPooh, Hukporti island resident (@shwinnypooh) July 17, 2024
Get these referees on a first class flight to Secaucus, NJ ASAP https://t.co/V55XvfMxRi
— Tom Thibadome, Owner of the Thibsdale Thibadome (@Thibadome) July 17, 2024
I love it. Get outta here with that nonsense. Most of the Modern NBA stars have adopted this strategy since Adam Silver took over. Get those easy PTS. https://t.co/DtxOzsdOFK
— DataFox (@datafox21) July 17, 2024
Love this so damn much 😭 foul baiting has ruined basketball https://t.co/h58mULC0yM
— Cory McKane (@CoryMcKane) July 17, 2024
Refs here in the NBA should take a hint. No one likes watching free throws. I’m good on this. https://t.co/QqsQeIfKZg
— Aiden Isaac (@AidenOlsen) July 17, 2024
Imagine how much better the NBA would be to watch if they didn’t cater to acting. https://t.co/Mf6FRwt7Xk
— HoopScoop (@Hoop_Scoop23) July 17, 2024
FIBA ball is so much better than NBA https://t.co/o0JP8ecPbQ
— Chase Pletcher (@ChasePletcher4) July 17, 2024
