The Big Bad in Games Now Has Doubts About His Matchup With Jokic | Relief

Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic We are The two big centers in the NBA Over the past five years, after facing each other on several occasions in the best league in the world, this afternoon they will face a different, but no less important scenario: the semifinals of the Olympic Games. A duel that will pit the United States against Serbia for a place in the final, where the last two best players in the NBA will once again decide a new battle… if Embiid allows it.

Cameroonian arrives for clash between the two cottons as reported News agencyThe center is dealing with discomfort in his ankle, and this is why. He did not play a minute in the second half against Brazil and his presence in the match against the Balkans is doubtful. Doubt has been raised on social media about the Cameroonian player’s readiness when he faces Jokic.

The two biggest centers in the NBA today have faced off 8 times in the regular season and At the moment, the balance is tilted in favor of the player of African origin with six wins to two for the Serb. However, in the last three seasons, the African has missed at least one of the two games he has faced Jokic due to injury, which has sparked mockery on social media, confirming that Embiid does not want to face his great rival.

The Sixers centre is one of the great champions of the Olympic tournament. Cameroonian by birth. France agreed to nationalise it to compete in the Games alongside Wembanyama, Joubert, Lesort and their partners. A process that even President Emmanuel Macron entered into. However, at the last minute, Embiid reversed course and adopted American citizenship, becoming public enemy number 1 in France.

That’s what made them famous throughout the Games. The Dream Team games were some of the most well-attended events at the Olympics and in all of them there were two things in common: the American victory and the boos Embiid received from the French fans in the stands.

Two years ago, Embiid wrote to Macron asking for French citizenship. “I know your sincere interest in basketball and its development, and in general, in the sport that honors France. After talks with the French Basketball Federation, I have already made my decision. I would like to complete the process of obtaining French nationality so that I can be selected by the Blues. He said in his message: “I do not want to play for any other national team. It would be a great honor to join the French national team.”

This desire was dispelled with the emergence of Grant Hill, the top sports official in the American Basketball Association.Which ended with Embiid being persuaded to wear the Team USA jersey in search of new gold alongside LeBron, Curry, Durant and company. A mission in which Embiid had to deal with more than just competitors.

He also did so in a hostile environment, where he also cooperated with provocations and gestures that heated up the atmosphere. “I’ve always loved it,” the player said after the match against Brazil. “I think a lot of people think it’s hate. I see it as love and a sign of respect. If I wasn’t a good basketball player, I wouldn’t be getting this kind of treatment. So I consider myself blessed, and that’s why I interact with them. “It’s something I’ve never seen before.”