Charles Barkley weighed in on Joel Embiid’s disappointing Olympic showing with a harsh take.
The NBA analyst and 76ers legend criticized Embiid during Monday’s episode of “Podcast P with Paul George,” making remarks that the 30-year-old is out of shape and should be embarrassed by his performance in Paris thus far.
“I think that’s one of the reasons he’s always injured. I don’t think he’s in good enough shape,” Barkley said of the Sixers’ big man. “You got to be a little bit embarrassed by the way you played.”
Embiid finished with 15 points, three rebounds and two assists on 6-of-14 shooting in Saturday’s 100-74 group stage victory over Puerto Rico, where the Americans earned a top seed in the knockout round and a quarterfinal matchup Tuesday against Brazil.
Boos echoed throughout Stade Pierre Mauroy, but Embiid encouraged the French crowd to get louder.
The Kansas product, selected No. 3 overall in the 2014 Draft, air-balled a near-half-court shot with just seconds remaining in the game, failing to help his case.
“At the end of the day, I think a lot of people think it’s hate. I see it as love and respect. If I wasn’t an OK basketball player, I would not receive that type of treatment,” Embiid said, per EuroHoops.
“So I see myself as being blessed, and that’s why I interact with them. I interact with that type of crowd and that type of stuff because, like I said, I’m blessed to be here. And I’ve seen worse.”
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While the NBA star’s performance was underwhelming, Saturday’s game marked the best contest of his Paris campaign.
Anthony Edwards was the MVP with 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting, while Kevin Durant became Team USA’s all-time leading scorer.
While Barkley’s judgment may be on the harsher end of the spectrum, the analyst is one of many disappointed in the 2023 MVP’s production.
Philadelphia fans have even jeered at him.
“They [Philadelphia fans] boo their own guys, more than their opponents. Sometimes it feels like our fans are more against us when they’re supposed to be against our opponent. But like I said, it’s all love. It’s all because they want to push you. They want you to do better. Just like with this crowd. I enjoy it because it makes me want to be better and do more and do whatever it takes to win,” Embiid told EuroHoops.
Embiid, making his debut with the U.S. national team, averaged 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 16.6 minutes per game across five exhibition games — all of which he started — in the USA Basketball Showcase leading up to the Games.
Team USA faces Brazil on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. ET, tipping off the knockout round at Accor Arena.
