What was said to enrage Embiid to threaten reporter?

The start of this season has been a real headache for the Sixers. On the court, things aren’t working, and after falling to the Memphis Grizzlies last night (107-124), the team has a worrying record of 1-4. They still don’t know what it’s like to win at home this season, with a 0-3 home record.

George and Embiid excuses for Sixers

Their poor performance is partly due to the absence of two of their three stars. Only Tyrese Maxey is fully fit, while newcomer Paul George has yet to make his season debut due to an issue with his left knee. Joel Embiid is also out, as he, too, has a left knee problem, the same knee he had surgery on last season, which limited him to just 39 games. However, he did manage to win gold at the Paris Olympics with Team USA this summer.

The absence of the Cameroonian is a major issue in Philadelphia, and Marcus Hayes wrote about it – a piece Embiid did not appreciate. The column was titled “Joel Embiid disrespects the Sixers, basketball, the greats, and himself. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are right to criticize him.”

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er,” the column began.

“Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite. Now in his 11th season, he consistently has been in poor condition. This poor conditioning apparently seems to have delayed his debut this season,” the article continued.

Personal life out of bounds for Embiid

The mention of his son and his deceased brother (both named Arthur), as well as doubts about his professionalism and commitment to staying in shape, did not sit well with the star. The moment he saw Hayes enter the Sixers' locker room after the loss to Memphis, he stood up and confronted him: “The next time you mention my dead brother and my son, you’ll see what I’m going to do to you, and I’ll have to… live with the consequences,” according to ESPN.

Embiid didn’t soften his tone despite the journalist’s apology, which he refused to accept. Tensions boiled over when Embiid declared he didn’t care what the press said, to which Hayes replied, “But you do.” At that, the African raised his voice and allegedly shoved the Inquirer reporter.

Chaos ensued. The head of public relations stepped in, while another Sixers employee moved Maxey’s interview outside the locker room. Security staff asked the reporters to move to the hallway. “They can do whatever they want. I don’t give a damn,” Embiid shouted amid the turmoil.

“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers’ locker room tonight and are launching an investigation,” said the NBA in a statement. “We take the situation very seriously and are investigating; we have already spoken with the NBA,” emphasized Daryl Morey, the team’s head of operations, to ESPN once the incident became known. Just another episode for Embiid.