Following the Philadelphia 76ers’ Game 1 matchup against the New York Knicks, Joel Embiid was asked about a moment in the game where he was hit in the stomach and was dealing with some discomfort.
The way he answered the question didn’t sit right with former New York Giants running back, Tiki Barber.
The three-time Pro Bowler, who now serves as a radio host for New York-based station WFAN, went off with a strong quote about Embiid in between Games 1 and 2.
Tiki Barber Goes Off On Joel Embiid
“If it was that bad, then don’t play,” Barber said.
“If it’s gonna hurt, and someone might run into you accidentally or otherwise, don’t play. I remember when I had a broken arm, and I’d play in 2000, I had to tape my other arm because they were literally stepping on my arm, just because they knew I had a broken arm. I didn’t complain about it. It’s part of the risk of playing when you’re hurt. So, stop being a b****. Seriously, that’s surprising to me. That’s surprising to me that he’s complaining about that.”
Joel Embiid’s Quote On The Play
It was simple: Embiid was setting a screen for Tyrese Maxey. While Mikal Bridges was attempting to chase the guard down, Embiid was met with physicality. It wasn’t whistled, or necessarily viewed as a dirty play by most, but Embiid’s reaction warranted the question after the game. Reporters asked, and he answered.
“I got hit on it,” Embiid told reporters. “I don’t know if it was—obviously, based on what’s been going on. I guess I got to protect it more. I don’t know if it was dirty or not. I guess I gotta do a better job of protecting my (stomach), yeah, especially that part.”
Embiid added that while he doesn’t believe the hit was necessary, he made it clear that playoff basketball brings a different physicality. The Sixers need to move on from it and bring the same physicality to the table in Game 2.
Bulletin Board Material For Game 2
Barber doesn’t have ties to the Knicks, but his strong message should be enough to motivate Embiid and the 76ers to find better results on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
“You’ve been an elite athlete for a long time, you play hurt. You have to, especially when it means something to you,” Barber added. “You don’t complain about it. You just don’t, because if you do, it’s like, give me sympathy. The reason I was not great is that your sympathy is making me feel better. It’s just weak. I don’t love that because I didn’t think that about him. That’s just weird. That’s like a crime against sports honor.”
The Sixers lost Game 1 137-98. Embiid checked in for 25 minutes, scoring 14 points, while producing four rebounds, and one assist.
The 76ers and the Knicks will meet for Game 2 on Wednesday, May 6, for a 7 PM ET tip.