Nikola Jokic might be clueless when it comes to American passions (read: football). Joel Embiid, though, is not. So, he must have heard what “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders had to say about keeping his word. In an impromptu dinner with Sanders, the 76ers team was treated to a nugget of prime wisdom. You can talk the talk all you want. But, when it’s time to walk the walk, all you get is disappointment. That is not what Sanders expected from someone like Embiid’s potential.

Joel Embiid is known for his trolling. And when Jokic’s spin move, which eerily resembled Embiid’s, failed spectacularly, the five-time NBA All-Star was at the merciless hands of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ reigning MVP.

Joel Embiid gets another knock on the head from ex-NBA champs

Words coming out of someone’s mouth are one thing. The actions to prove everything you say are when the words have value. Or else, they are just meaningless blabbering. Unfortunately, for Embiid, that’s the case. Yes, he is the 2023 reigning MVP. He does have value as a player. But so does Jokic. After all, the Jokic-Murray team is the one who got the Nuggets their very first ring.

The Road Trippin’ hosts and ex-NBA champions, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, are of the same opinion. “Sorry, sit that game right or figure something, but don’t plan rest against the MVP matchup. There’s no Legend … no high-level person …no veteran in this game that respects that move.” 

It’s understandable where this sentiment comes from. There is a level of trolling and back-and-forth between players, particularly when it’s closer to the regular season. But the players do come through and prove that it wasn’t just all bark.

Embiid needs to step up to Jordan or Magic’s standards

The MVP race between Jokic and Embiid has been ongoing. “If he would have played well in Philly, the MVP race would have been over,” Rich said. “But what would Magic … Michael … Bill Russell… Kareem think about that? … Look at what the greats would say about missing that matchup in the latter third of the season. They would call it exactly what Deon Sanders is calling it.” 

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In Sander’s own words, “If Embiid is playing the Joker, I want to see Embiid versus the Joker.” (Credits: Bleacher Report, Twitter post, October 4, 2023)

All these trolls and calling out a player make for great marketing material. But when you are a player and you sell yourself to the fans by trolling another player, the least you can do is show up.

“The Process” hopefully takes time to process all these criticisms through. Until then, let’s stay tuned to their preseason game against the Celtics happening tomorrow.

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