Why would Joel Mebiid say this about LeBron James just before the Olympic Games start?

What in the world is wrong with Joel Embiid? The Philadelphia 76ers star just came out to criticize LeBron James for being 39 years old and for no longer having the ame athletic habilities. Granted, Bron is already pushing 40 but the man is still delivering better numbers than 90% of the other NBA players. It’s even more funny when you take a look at the Team USA game that was just played against South Sudan and Embiid missing out on a layup LeBron set him up for with a no-look pass. Statements like the ones the big man just made don’t help the cause, he is even putting the team’s chances to win the Olympic Gold Medal in question. Coach Steve Kerr will have to talk to him about making these type of incendiary statements.

Joel Embiid was just interviewed by the New York Times, he was asked about the team’s players who are already considered veterans. Here’s what he said: “You look at the talent that the U.S. has, but there’s equal talent on other teams. And the talent that’s on the U.S. team, you also got to understand most of those guys are older. The LeBron now is not the LeBron that was a couple of years ago. So it’s a big difference. Everybody would also tell you, and you can see for yourself, the athletic LeBron, dominant that he was a couple of years ago, is not the same that he is now. I think people get fooled by the names on paper. But those names have been built throughout their career, and now they’re older. They’re not what they used to be.”

Although Joel Embiid technically isn’t lying, the fact that he is making these comments is making little to no sense to Team USA Basketball fans. They want for all the players to be involved in the fight to potentially win the Gold Medal at the event. Right now, the star-studded team is filled with some of the best basketball players in the world. Hopefully, Embiid already took some time to clear things up with James and he no longer makes comments like that for the rest of the summer. To be fair, the two of them seem to be understading each other decently inside the court. Regardless of that failed layup you saw from earlier today against South Sudan. Team USA nearly lost in what could’ve been one of the biggest upsets in basketball history.

Joel Embiid and LeBron James share a complex relationship that intertwines respect, rivalry, and mutual admiration. As two of the NBA’s premier talents, their paths have intersected on multiple occasions, both on and off the court.

Embiid, known for his dominant play as a center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has often faced off against James’ teams throughout his career. Their on-court battles have fueled a competitive rivalry, showcasing their respective skills and determination to lead their teams to victory.

Off the court, James has been a mentor figure to Embiid, offering advice and support to the younger star. Despite their competitive nature, Embiid has publicly expressed admiration for James’ achievements and impact on the game of basketball. James, in turn, has acknowledged Embiid’s talent and potential, recognizing him as a formidable opponent and future star of the league.

Their relationship highlights the camaraderie and respect that can exist between competitors in the NBA, where stars like Embiid and James not only compete fiercely against each other but also acknowledge and appreciate each other’s contributions to the sport.