Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, elft, and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic wrestle for place in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Picture/Matt Slocum)
LAS VEGAS — The query was easy. The reply was blunt.
I requested Staff USA heart Joel Embiid if he was trying ahead to dealing with Serbia’s Nikola Jokic within the opening sport of the Olympics group section on July 28.
“I don’t care about Jokic,” Embiid mentioned after a spirited scrimmage Wednesday at UNLV’s apply gymnasium. “I’m taking part in for my nationwide staff.”
Wait. What? Activate the Nuggets Nation group chat. Let’s head over to Speer Boulevard and lift some Troel Embiid indicators. Or possibly even elevate a number of lacking individuals milk cartons in his honor.
Embiid stays a simple goal for Nuggets followers’ vitriol. He hasn’t performed in Denver since 2019. When he sat out in January as a late scratch with a sore knee, he made somewhat boy cry. The child’s birthday current was a flight to Ball Enviornment from California to see his favourite participant. As a substitute, all he acquired was overpriced concessions and flimsy napkins to wipe his tears.
When Embiid responded the way in which he did Wednesday, my knee-jerk response was to sizzle him like every little thing else within the desert’s 117-degree warmth. Put Embiid wherever within the nation, and he’s Wilt Chamberlain with higher vary. Place him in Denver, and he’s Kris Bryant — a ghost in avenue garments.
However that is the factor in regards to the Olympics. It’s extra “we” than “me.” And whereas Embiid makes Nuggets followers’ pores and skin crawl, his response was not incorrect. Irritating. Annoying. However not incorrect.
Whereas he ought to care about Jokic — and he higher, as a result of there aren’t any escape hatches in France — Embiid’s priorities are extra macro than micro. And that’s applicable with the primary sport three weeks away.
“It’s all about specializing in ourselves and attempting to verify all people is on the identical web page,” Embiid mentioned. “Once we get there, we don’t know what we gotta concentrate on. However proper now it’s about getting higher.”
The race is on. In terms of Staff USA and the Olympics, there isn’t any second place. There aren’t any Capri Suns, orange slices or flaky croissants for effort. There’s the gold medal. Nothing else. The People have gained 4 straight.
Watching Staff USA apply in opposition to the American Choose Staff, it’s clear the pink, white and blue stay a piece in progress. Incoming Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, solely 17, was the perfect participant on the ground in the course of the media viewing interval. He drained 3s, put defenders on skates and delivered a one-handed, flailing put-back on a missed bounce shot that featured every little thing however an exclamation level.
It circles again to what Embiid was saying. Staff USA wants reps collectively. No one cares that the gamers have solely 40 days to microwave chemistry, whereas displaying humility and character. Egos should be checked like constitution baggage.
“I believe our nation goes to be very pleased with our staff,” Staff USA coach Steve Kerr mentioned.
In 1992, there was The Dream Staff, anchored by Michael Jordan. In 2008, there was the Redeem Staff, led by Kobe Bryant. In 2024, there would be the Meme Staff if the People don’t stand on the very best podium. That is the truth when a squad options 12 potential Corridor of Famers.
“That’s the usual of USA Basketball. It’s by no means going to vary. That’s the dignity and privilege of carrying this jersey, and I don’t assume any of us would have it another manner,” mentioned Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton. “I believe all of us welcome the stress.”
There’s a sense of urgency that wasn’t needed 32 years in the past when Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley and Larry Hen wandered into Barcelona just like the Beatles. The times of rolling out the basketballs, routing an inferior opponent and signing autographs on the courtroom afterwards have lengthy since vanished.
Bear in mind, the People misplaced their first sport on the Tokyo Video games in 2020, spent a number of days staving off elimination and barely claimed the gold medal with a nervy 87-82 victory over France.
5 gamers return from that staff, together with Kevin Durant and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, a newly minted champion. It’s a reminder that Embiid’s apathy towards Jokic — as foolish as it’s — can serve a function.
“It’s about attempting to win a gold medal. That’s all that issues. Not who’s beginning or what number of factors you common,” Tatum mentioned. “All that issues is that we come house with a gold medal. Having that mindset, guys perceive that they’ve to vary somewhat bit. All of us have to vary in our roles.”
Embiid is chief amongst them. Regardless of checking in at 7 toes, 280 kilos, Embiid lives on the perimeter. Within the worldwide sport, that should change. Staff USA wants him to spend extra time across the basket than the Easter Bunny.
“He’s a really dominant scorer down low,” Kerr mentioned. “He (sometimes) spends loads of time close to the foul line, and he’s good there. And we’ll get him the ball there. However his physicality and skill to attain within the FIBA sport goes to be crucial.”
It begins with a Sport 1 matchup in opposition to Jokic. A faceoff between the 2 most up-to-date MVPs. There isn’t a time for emotions. Nobody will care what Embiid thinks in regards to the Nuggets icon if the People keep away from pink faces and win gold in Paris.
Need extra sports activities information? Join the Sports activities Omelette to get all our evaluation on Denver’s groups.