Michael Perry on January 28, 2022
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are on track for a huge Eastern Conference playoff birth. Philly is 29-19 and sitting in a tie for fourth place in the conference with the Brooklyn Nets. Embiid has been a key to the Sixers success, averaging 28.9 points per game to go with 10.7 rebounds.
A double-double average is enough to make you a star in the NBA. Embiid’s heart and love for the game have made him a favorite in the City of Brotherly Love. Joel also enjoys seeing passion in other players around the league.
In a recent game with the New Orleans Pelicans, Embiid was confronted on the court by rookie Jose Alvarado. Joel had knocked veteran New Orleans guard Garrett Temple to the ground. Alvarado showed no fear when he got up into Joel Embiid’s face. Embiid respected the move so much that he paid Alvarado’s fine, according to ESPN.
“I just like his energy. He plays hard. He competes. Even when he picked up the tech, he wasn’t backing down. He was just regular trash talk. Just two guys going at each other on the basketball court. He didn’t back down. I respected that. I like that about him.
After the game, I just went up to him and told him to keep fighting and keep it going and obviously, that other part. … I just felt like the least I can do because I made him pick up a tech and he doesn’t make as much as other guys in the league. I just felt like that was on me and I didn’t want him to lose that money because I’m sure we all need it.”
Jose Alvarado is only making $462,629 this season. Embiid stands to make $31.6 million. It was an extreme gesture of kindness and a fantastic show of sportsmanship. It’s no wonder NBA fans love Joel Embiid.
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January 28, 2022 10:37 am
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