Did Joel Embiid call LeBron James too old to lead Team USA in the Paris Olympics?
The 76ers star has been in the headlines of late and arguably for the wrong reasons as his form has been less than stellar. Now, it’s because of what he’s said.
When considering the fact that Joel Embiid is making his Team USA debut at the Paris Olympics, having only become a citizen of the United States in 2022, it does seem a little strange that he would 1) choose to criticize the team’s chances and 2) suggest that the side’s best players are past their prime. Yet, that’s how it looks.
Joel Embiid’s comments are a little strange
As is always the case, context is key. As Team USA enters this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, they do so holding the record in men’s basketball with 16 gold medals. To that end, it would be fair to say that Team USA is a giant of the Olympic games. Of course, when you consider that the team is generally made up of some of the best players in the NBA, that should not be surprising.
Yet, to hear Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid tell it, the chances of a fifth consecutive title are slim this time around. Even more surprising is the fact that Embiid laid the reason for his opinion at the feet of NBA superstar, LeBron James, who at 39 years old, he claims is not the player he once was along with several others on the roster.
“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,” Embiid told The New York Times. “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.”
Now, it’s got to be said that from a factual point of view, Embiid’s comments aren’t entirely inaccurate. Yes, James and those of his generation who are on Team USA’s roster are not as fast or agile as they may have been a decade ago. Indeed, this is the case for any athlete. On the other hand, his view does raise an eyebrow when you consider that not only has Team USA won all three of their pre-Olympic games so far and convincingly so, but Embiid who has started alongside James in those contests has struggled. So much so in fact that head coach Steve Kerr was forced to answer questions from the media about his big man’s performance. Nonetheless, here we are with four of the team’s five starters in their 30s, including Embiid himself. Where James specifically is concerned, the Lakers icon will be playing in his fourth Olympic Games and he previously stated it will be his last. Team USA will take on Serbia in their opening game in Paris on Sunday, July 28th. Don’t miss it!