Philadelphia rookie center Joel Embiid could be an All-Star (Getty)
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has yet to make his mark on the court, having only played 31 games. However, when it comes to social media, Embiid is a verified force of nature. In the latest installment of Joel Embiid Dominates Social Media, the 76ers’ center took to Instagram Live on Tuesday to very succinctly address recent comments by Lavar Ball, the father of Lakers’ rookie Lonzo Ball.
Warning, the following video contains explicit language.
joel embiid says f lavar ball on ig live 😱😱😱
The reason for Embiid’s dismissive and curt response? A user asked him about Ball, who had recently made some very Lavar Ball-esque comments about Embiid on 97.5 The Fanatic, a Philadelphia sports radio station.
“When you don’t win, and don’t even make the playoffs, and don’t even stay on the court long enough, that’s the best thing you can do—is tweet and make some stuff. Ain’t nobody else doing that, because they’re working on their games in the gym. These guys ain’t played a game, [are] always hurt, and [are] at the bottom of the totem pole. So guess what? Get your [rear ends] off the goddamn Tweeter and get in the gym.”
Of course Ball’s criticism of Embiid didn’t come out of the blue and were unprompted. Embiid and his teammate Ben Simmons made some news on the night of the 2017 NBA Draft, tweeting at one another about the Lakers selection of Lonzo Ball with the second pick. Embiid, again, a social media superstar in the making, did not mince words when it came to the UCLA stand-out and his outspoken father.
Please dunk on him so hard that his daddy runs on the court to save him.. t.co/cMvt5RYiSQ
Now because Lavar Ball is involved, it’s hard to look at this situation rationally. It’s easier to laugh about it and dismiss the whole thing as Lavar Ball doing what Lavar Ball does – talk smack. But in all fairness, he does have a point, if not a couple points.
“When you don’t win…” well, the Sixers really haven’t. They finished 28-54 last season.
“…and don’t even make the playoffs…” and the Sixers haven’t done that also. The Sixers last made the playoffs in 2011-12.
“…and don’t even stay on the court long enough…” Embiid has only played 31 games after missing his first two seasons with an injury. On top of that, Simmons missed his first NBA season, dealing with an injury as well.
Additionally, Lavar Ball is a dad. He was asked about comments someone made about his son, so he responded. Maybe he responded a little more colorfully than a normal person would, but again, Lavar Ball isn’t a normal person.
The bottom line here is that you can add the 76ers to the list of potential rivals for the Lonzo Ball-led Lakers, a list that already includes the Sacramento Kings, who drafted Ball’s college nemesis De’Aaron Fox. There’s still plenty of time left before the 2017-18 season starts. I think it’s a safe bet that Lavar Ball will find a way to add at least one more team to that list.
As for Embiid? You keep being you, buddy.
Hey I want you to come slide in my DMs @KimKardashian
Oh I didn’t know you were married sorry @KimKardashian just saw it from the fan’s tweet… have a nice day