Joel Embiid is healthy, at least for the moment, and he’s putting up exactly the ridiculous numbers you’d expect from a skilled seven-footer who might be the most athletic player in the NBA: 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while playing only 28.5 minutes per game. He’s also fulfilling his destiny as the NBA’s most fun player.
All of that was very much on display Monday night, when Embiid dropped 32 points and 16 rebounds in a Sixers win over the Clippers and also stole the soul of Los Angeles center Willie Reed.
The fun started when Reed got in Embiid’s face on one end of the floor, then threw him flagrantly to the ground on the other end.
https://twitter.com/BBallSociety_/status/930287827715280897
Embiid was simply not going to take that quietly. His response to Reed’s foul was to laugh, shout “he can’t fucking guard me,” then make a choking gesture in the huddle.
Joel Embiid is everything. pic.twitter.com/p4uoGX5mLU
— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) November 14, 2017
Later, Embiid stared down Blake Griffin after viciously dunking on him.
https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/930292440635932673
He also reserved some taunts for DeAndre Jordan.
https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/930313971940450310
After the game, Embiid acted as if he didn’t know Reed’s name, the ultimate shade.
Joel Embiid ALREADY FORGOT Willie Reed's name 😂
"I don't know, what's his name." 💀 pic.twitter.com/mWJkbrHqId
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 14, 2017
He then pointed out (rightfully) that Green resorted to fouling because he was not capable of guarding him.
Joel Embiid on confrontation with Willie Reed: He just did what he had to do, that was fouling me. And he got a technical (flagrant) because he couldn't guard me… I don't even know what to say. pic.twitter.com/b0oiTETLni
— Law Murray 🐦🔥 (@LawMurrayTheNU) November 14, 2017
Plenty of players talk trash, but Embiid has made messing with opponents into something like an art form. Who has the audacity to go after an opposing team’s entire frontcourt repeatedly throughout a close game? And who has the game to back that up?
Now we just need Embiid to stay healthy for a full season, not only because of his game but also because of his A+ troll routine.
