The 2024 NBA Finals might involve two teams he has zero linkages with, but that didn’t stop Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid from getting in on the action, causing a bit of a whirlwind on social media with his recent post on X.
With the Boston Celtics now up 3-0 over the Dallas Mavericks in their Finals bout, Embiid went to X to post a puckish comment, suggesting that the Milwaukee Bucks may have just helped the Celtics clinch the championship.
Did the bucks give them the championship?
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 13, 2024
Joel Embiid may have just called on the 76ers about his desired side kick
Embiid was clearly talking about Jrue Holiday, the two-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive Team member who played for Milwaukee until last season before getting traded to Boston (from Portland) just a tad before the start of training camp.
Holiday was an integral part of the Bucks’ 2021 championship run, and now, he’s on his way to win another one with the Celtics.
Was Embiid silently pleading to the 76ers about Holiday, though? Maybe. Or not. Either way, it’s not like Philly can realistically go after Holiday this offseason anyway. Arguably the league’s best perimeter defender, Holiday already secured a lucrative, four-year extension with Boston last April, keeping him out of the free agency pool this summer.
Boston’s payroll could soon be top-heavy, but their ownership has made all indications that they will be willing to pay the luxury tax and deal with the repercussion of being in the second tax apron, which can be debilitating under the new CBA.
Prior to Holiday inking an extension, there were some murmurs about teams potentially lining up for his services should the Celtics flame out. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case, and the 34-year-old will be in the Beantown for quite a while.
For Joel Embiid and the 76ers, they will need to find another player who can help deliver them that elusive championship. Or, they could just convince each other that they’re the right man/group for the job.