Joel Embiid used a statement performance against Giannis Antetokounmpo on Christmas Day to remind the hoops world of who he is, when properly motivated.
“When I’m needed, I’m going to show up,” Embiid told reporters after scoring a game-high 31 points in Philadelphia’s galvanizing 121-109 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks.
The All-Star center helped frustrate Antetokounmpo into an ugly 8 of 27 shooting night.
Per The Athletic:
“A lot of people have forgotten, I guess, who I am,” Embiid said. “So when I’m needed, I’m going to show up.”
Antetokounmpo is ramping it up. Embiid is toning it all down.
“You know, the whole season, I’ve been humble, but I want to be Defensive Player of the Year,” said Embiid, who finished runner-up to Rudy Gobert in 2017-18 and fourth last season, “and I feel like [this game] showed it.”
Before the game, 76ers general manager Elton Brand spoke of his desire to see Embiid “show his love for the game” and “have that joy. I don’t want him to get fined, but I do want him to have fun out there. Be dominant out there.”
“I’ve been chilling, basically, the whole season,” Embiid said in his walk off interview. “I’m trying to make sure I get to the playoffs finally healthy. It’s all about the long term. I’m thinking about the playoffs and when we get to that time, we’re going to see a different side of me.”
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