Why Jusuf Nurkic is wrong about Joel Embiid

By Christopher Kline | Dec 30, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Trail Blazers 101-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

After the Philadelphia 76ers‘ loss in Portland on Thursday night, Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic had some words for Joel Embiid.

Losing to Portland a few nights back was brutal for more than one reason. Damian Lillard was out, the Philadelphia 76ers held an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter, and the officiating played a bigger role than most would have liked down the stretch.

Just look at the free throw disparity between the two teams.

Nonetheless, the Sixers deserved that loss. Joel Embiid struggled down the stretch, while the game plan in general seemed flawed. Jusuf Nurkic picked up his fifth foul with about 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, yet finished out the rest of the game with Embiid seldom attacking him in the post. That just doesn’t make sense.

More from Sixers News

Embiid was upset after a few non-calls, and even picked up a questionable flagrant one after Nurkic sold a push while the two ran down court. Nurkic, for all the issues he had finishing around the rim, played an incredibly tough brand of basketball, which has always been his forte.

That inevitably played a big role, aside from C.J. McCollum and Shabazz Napier going bonkers, in the Blazers’ comeback win. After the game, Nurkic has some critical words for Embiid:

"“He tries to be more famous than a player. I respect him. He’s a good player. He’s not about tough. He’s a skill player, who is getting tired, it looks like. And when you play defense on him and play offense on him and attack him, he’s getting tired more.” — Pro Basketball Talk"

There are some issues with what Nurkic said, even if it’s interlaced with truth. Embiid’s conditioning (and health, with his back) is still a work in progress, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t try hard. Last year, if anything, showed us how hard Embiid plays.

Embiid has done a good job this season of taking fewer risks. He’s not diving into the stands, chasing unrealistic blocks, or putting himself in a position to get hurt. He still gets to the ground for loose balls and plays an aggressive brand of defense, though, something he has consistently established since coming into the league.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Mock Draft 2.0

Even with the limitations placed on his body, both health-wise and by the coaching staff, Embiid’s motor has never been a question mark. When he’s tired and his back is sore, Jo still wants to be on the floor. He wanted to finish that triple-overtime game against OKC, and he wanted to battle Nurkic on Thursday night.

Game flow and, to an extent, officiating is what prevented him from effectively doing that.

With that said, Embiid is a showman. That’s just his personality, and Nurk isn’t off base there. Embiid likes to trash talk and can sometimes go outside his comfort zone when trying to go at someone offensively.

I don’t have a problem with Embiid waving Steven Adams goodbye or trash talking _insert starting center here_ on Twitter, as long as he backs it up. On a nightly basis, he backs it up.

Next: Sixers need Fultz to save their playoff hopes

So, while Nurkic has a reason for what he’s saying, questioning Embiid’s toughness is taking it a step too far. With all Embiid has shown us, Nurkic’s leverage in that game came was circumstantial, not due to a lack of toughness from JoJo.