5. Social media
Of course whenever Joel Embiid does anything impressive, he’s going to the internet to tell you about it. And for everyone that’s ready to say “but back in my day …”, spare me the glorified old school garbage. Do you really want to tell me Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, or a teenage Kobe Bryant wouldn’t have talked on Twitter if they had the chance?
Sports are entertaining. Whether or not your team wins, the sun comes up tomorrow and life goes on. The success of your team may make the sunrise easier or harder, but for the most part sports have an inconsequential effect on your everyday life. Joel Embiid realizes the entertainment value sports has and, he makes it fun.
(I’m about to analyze some social media posts so get ready to take everything I say incredibly seriously … also, some NSFW words)
Joel Embiid’s inevitable reaction: As always Embiid’s location picking is undefeated. “Raised around lions and a cat pulled on me” is just plain funny, and so is the Jimmy Butler third stringers joke. Bringing moms into the equation is 99 percent of the time uncalled for, but did he bring her into it? I mean she was actually giving him the bird. Moms are off limits, but he didn’t insult her, so the mother issue is a hung jury verdict.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4RWDJGnaj7
KAT claps back: Towns has no choice but to answer Embiid’s IG shot. I know its easy to take the high road, but that’s one you can’t take sitting down. He deserves props for volleying. I’m sorry, but this is the best he can do? Posting pictures of a “fight” nobody won, plus a picture that Embiid made his own Twitter profile picture (after a monumental PLAYOFF game) is pretty weak. A ton of emojis, and not many words. This just felt like KAT sat in his house fuming and asking his friends how he can swing back. Good effort, indifferent result.
That tough guy act ain’t cutting it .... you know what you are.. you know what you’ve always been>>> A PUSSY (SAY IT LOUDER FOR PEOPLE IN THE BACK) Been kicking your ass and pretty please make the playoffs before you talk. It’s a known thing that I OWN YOU. @KarlTowns pic.twitter.com/Izqwk3pEnM
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 31, 2019
Embiid goes over the top: This may be the first time in his career I’m a little disappointed in Joel Embiid. The Sixers won the game. Embiid was serenaded of the floor by his own fans. He took his jab on the internet. Towns answered it. It should have ended.
But true to his nature Embiid needed the last word. There are some touchy words in there that he just didn’t need to use. He’s practically asking him to swing again. All it takes is one cheap shot from someone to really make this a serious issue.
Embiid going for the kill-shot felt a tad over the line. By all accounts Embiid is a great guy. He’s signed autographs for kids, played random games of tennis and basketball with Philadelphians, and founded a charity in the name of his late brother Arthur. When stuff gets picked up by the media making people look like jerks, none of the good things get mentioned. He made this more personal than it had to be. This ought to serve as a learning, maturing experience.
The Sixers have championship goals. The T-Wolves are vying for a playoff spot. They got the same suspension. Let’s just get back to basketball.