Brett Brown isn't a fan of the criticism Joel Embiid is receiving.
The 76ers coach addressed negative comments made about the center following a 125-89 loss to the Raptors on Tuesday. According to Brown, Embiid is giving his best effort, despite the respiratory infection he's fighting off.
"I think its grossly unfair."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 8, 2019
Brett Brown responds to the criticism of Joel Embiid#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yGQPAHid7K
"He (Embiid) was trying to do whatever he could to represent his organization and play basketball for the Philadelphia 76ers," Brown told reporters. "I'm kind of disappointed. He gets shaken around to me too much. He's trying to play for us. He's trying to get out of bed with a significant temperature and come represent the organization. I think it's grossly unfair, some of the criticism that he gets. I don't understand that."
"It's not ideal. You wish he were at shootaround, you wish he were in film sessions but he's had a temperature for the last few days that's kept him in bed. And so, take whatever you want out of that answer."
Embiid totaled 13 points and six rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting in Game 5. He scored 11 points on 2-of-7 shooting in Philadelphia's Game 4 loss, when he reportedly first felt the effects of the illness.
The 76ers star averaged 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game during the regular season, and he acknowledged he needs to be better.
"(I) can't control my physical condition, but I can control how hard I push myself, and I try to do that," Embiid said. "But I've just got to do more."
Philadelphia will attempt to keep its season alive Thursday at 8 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center.