Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is the victim of immense amounts of criticism throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics, but perhaps none are more critical than Kendrick Perkins.
The NBA analyst took the slow start to the summer as an opportunity to grill Embiid's play on the international stage and in the NBA. The Sixers superstar picked up his play in recent weeks, but none compares to his second half against Serbia.
Perkins is ready to apologize for his harsh claims, posting to X during the game about Embiid's stellar play.
"Joel Embiid telling everybody including me… to STFU. I see you Big Fella," Perkins posted.
Joel Embiid telling everybody including me… to STFU. I see you Big Fella 🇺🇸
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) August 8, 2024
The semifinals between the USA and Serbia did not begin the way coach Steve Kerr hoped. They trailed for the majority of the game, including a 17-point deficit, before Embiid caught fire in the final quarter. He recorded seven straight points, hauling the United States within reach. Superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry sealed the day, advancing to Saturday's gold medal game.
The 30-year-old finished the day with 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists on 8 of 11 shooting. The debate over the NBA's best center between Embiid and Serbia's Nikola Jokic grows ever closer because of this outing.
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