Joel Embiid Would 'Embrace' France Booing Him, Can't 'Get Worse Than' NY in Playoffs

Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid isn't sweating the possibility of French fans booing him at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Embiid, who will represent Team USA at the Summer Games after becoming an American citizen in 2022, commented Sunday on his expectation for how French fans will react to him at the Olympics while speaking to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

"I don't think it should be anything, but if it's more than that, I embrace it," Embiid said. "I don't think you can get worse than playing in New York in the playoffs."

The 30-year-old Embiid was born in Cameroon, but he gained French citizenship in 2022, and there was some thought he would play for the home country in the 2024 Olympics.

Per Vardon, French officials believe Embiid assured them he would play for France if he received French citizenship, but he decided to go in a different direction.

Speaking to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne after making his decision, Embiid noted that his son being born in the U.S. played a role in his choice:

"I love all three options, you know, with my home country, which I love a lot. But I really want to participate in the Olympics, that's been my goal and my dream. And you add that with the fact that my son is American, and I've been here for such a long time. ... I'm really thankful for the opportunity. France—the commitment they were willing to make—I really appreciate it. It was a tough decision."

Embiid alluded to playing in hostile environments in the past during his NBA career, including facing off against the New York Knicks during the 2024 playoffs.

The Knicks eliminated the Sixers in the first round of last season's playoffs, and Embiid was the subject of plenty of vitriol from Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden.

Crowd reactions are typically more muted at the Olympics compared to NBA playoff games, but things could be different since Embiid will be playing in France and the French team is among the top threats to take down the favored Americans.

Team USA has won Olympic gold in men's basketball four straight times, including beating France 87-82 in the Gold Medal Game at the 2020 Summer Games.

Led by Embiid, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and a host of other NBA stars, the Americans are expected to take gold yet again, but a French team featuring Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama has a legitimate chance to play spoiler.