Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid is gearing up to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics, focusing on his level of play rather than the threat of others.
At Team USA's training camp, Embiid was asked about facing off against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia, to which he responded, "I don't care about Jokic. I'm playing for my national team," Embiid said. "It's all about focusing on ourselves and trying to make sure everybody is on the same page, but right now it's just about trying to find ways to get better."
Joel Embiid on going head-to-head against Nikola Jokic in group play when USA and Serbia meet at the Olympics: “I don’t care about Jokic. I’m playing for my national team.” pic.twitter.com/170FJFbqcs
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) July 8, 2024
Embiid's response likely did not come from a place of disrespect towards Jokic, but rather just pointing out Team USA is not worried about certain opponents.
The USA are viewed as the heavy favorites to walk away with the gold medal thanks to a roster filled with superstar talent, including Embiid, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, Serbia has NBA talent surrounding Jokic, such as Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nikola Jovic, but it will likely not be enough to upset the USA's loaded squad.
