Joel Embiid went full "Troel Embiid" after the 76ers' 96-84 win over the Nets in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.
Seemingly nobody was safe from the big man's barbs, which targeted a division rival's coach and the NBA's newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite playing neither.
Embiid's first shot came at Jaren Jackson Jr., who had officially been named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year before Monday's playoff games.
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It wasn't a direct hit from Embiid to Jackson. Instead, he referenced an Internet-fueled NBA "controversy" from earlier in the season during which the motivations of the Memphis scorekeeper were questioned while discussing how many blocks he had against Brooklyn.
"I had what, three blocks? Only three blocks? Yeah, I'll probably need the Memphis scorekeeper," Embiid joked.
"I thought I had that more [blocks]," he added. "But that's the level that I gotta get to, and I'm gonna do it every game."
Embiid's shot at the Memphis scorekeeper was certainly a well-timed callback whether or not he knew that Jackson had been named Defensive Player of the Year. Even though the theory of any Grizzlies-based bias from that individual has since been debunked — the NBA reviews each stat independently and makes stat corrections as necessary — the likely MVP's comments could rub Jackson Jr. and Memphis fans the wrong way.
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Jackson and the Memphis scorekeeper weren't the only targets of Embiid's postgame trolling. The center also poked fun at embattled Raptors coach Nick Nurse while expressing his displeasure with Brooklyn stumping for more foul calls after Game 1.
"I saw after the game last time, they kind of took the Nick Nurse route of begging for free throws and calling out the referees," Embiid said. "Then they come out and they got a lot of calls, which I guess is good for them."
Nurse's Raptors have complained about officiating at times during what has been a trying year for the team Most notably, Fred VanVleet ranted about his disdain for Ben Taylor in a profane postgame rant back in March.
So, Embiid well could hit a nerve with Nurse and the Raptors, especially as the two parties navigate a turbulent time in their relationship.
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Either way, Embiid was in rare form both after and during Monday's win over the Nets. He posted 20 points, a game-high 19 rebounds, seven assists, a steal and the three blocks while helping the 76ers jump out to a 2-0 series lead.
Now, Embiid will look to give Philadelphia a commanding 3-0 series lead when they face Brooklyn on Thursday.
And you'd best believe that if the Sixers win again, he'll be pulling out more punches for some unsuspecting recipients.
Nobody is safe from catching Troel Embiid strays.
