Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid ‘assaults reporter in locker room’
Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been accused of pushing a reporter in the aftermath of a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Keith Pompey tweeted: “Oh boy, people will remember the Sixers season for the wrong reasons. The team just dropped to 1-4 and Joel Embiid attacked a reporter in the locker room.”
In a later tweet from ESPN’s Shams Charania, he reported that Embiid “got into an altercation with a columnist after tonight’s game in Philadelphia.” Embiid took issue with a recent column that referenced his late brother and son, and Embiid pushed the columnist. Not a hit.”
While Charania’s tweet did not specifically mention the columnist, it likely refers to an article written by The Inquirer’s Marcus Hayes that criticized the 7-foot-2 Embiid’s work ethic while referencing his late brother Arthur.
“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son Arthur as the most significant turning point in his basketball career,” Hayes’ October column read. “He often says he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in a car accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er.”
Sixers star Joel Embiid is accused of pushing a reporter into the locker room
The next paragraph reads: ‘To become good at your job, you must first show up for work. Embiid was great at the exact opposite. Now in his eleventh season, he is consistently in poor shape. This poor condition appears to have delayed his debut this season.”
Just Friday, Embiid cited Philadelphia media — specifically calling out Hayes — who were critical of the former MVP and accused him of not wanting to play basketball.
“When I see people saying ‘he doesn’t want to play’, I’ve done way too much for this city and I run the risk of people saying that. I really think this is bulls***,” Embiid said.
“Like that guy, he’s not here, Marcus. I’ve done way too much to let this damn city treat me like this. Done way too much. I wish I was as lucky as the others, but that doesn’t mean I don’t do whatever it takes to be there, and I probably will.”
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