Joel Embiid wonders when he'll start getting hated on
Joel Embiid is more than just a larger than life individual with nimble footwork, soft touch shooting anywhere on the court, an artful command of multiple languages, as well as a preternatural grasp of humor and social media. He’s also the most loved active athlete in the City of Brotherly Love. ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne profiled Embiid’s humorous mind, but drew out this philosophical quote about his future and whether the national admiration for him is ephemeral.
“People love you at the beginning,” Embiid explains. “But at some point they’re gonna start hating you. LeBron. Russell Westbrook. All the superstars. Even Steph. He’s so likable. He does nothing wrong, but some people still hate him. It just comes with the nature of it. I’ve seen it.
“I feel like I’m about to go through it. I think it’s coming. People always want something new.”
Embiid is possibly the NBA’s most effervescent personality. Fans appreciate his authenticity, his role on a young upstart and that he’s no longer held prisoner to a rigid minutes restriction.
We tend to give players who haven’t reached their prime a little leeway to make mistakes. However, eventually the backlash every player experiences will occur to Embiid and the people who helped build him up, will grow cynical, nitpick and participate in tearing him down. It’s the way our modern society operates.
In Embiid’s case, his latent promise will melt away and a dry mosaic of the player he will have become, instead of what he could be, will form. He’ll be judged more harshly on his accomplishments and failures. Meanwhile, his social media tomfoolery will be deemed immature. If the lower body injuries that delayed his career by two years, re-emerge, his $176.5 million contract will create derision among passionate Sixers fans who emotionally invested in The Process.
If he wins a championship, fans will expect a second. However, no matter what happens, Embiid will always be entertaining.
