If Joel Embiid was expecting a warm welcome from fans at the Paris Olympics, he was probably sorely mistaken.
As Team USA took on Team Serbia in men’s basketball group action on Sunday, Embiid received a rowdy round of boos essentially every time he touched the ball. There are likely two straightforward reasons why the fans in Paris didn’t appreciate the big center.
For one, Embiid famously chose to play for Team USA in these Olympics over Team France. Given the boos, it certainly seems like the French haven’t forgotten his decision. On the other, Embiid and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic have a tremendous individual rivalry stateside. It wouldn’t be a stretch for any Serbians at the arena to voice their support of their fellow countrymen Jokic by booing one of his biggest rivals in the NBA.
Embiid may well get the last laugh here in the form of a gold medal. But it’s not surprising to see him get no love from this international audience.
