Joel Embiid had several options when choosing which team to play for in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics basketball competition. He has citizenship in his native Cameroon, the United States, and a French passport.
Last October, he announced his intention to play for Team USA. He cited his family as the main reason for his decision. “my son [Arthur] He's American,'' Embiid said. “And in addition to the fact that I've been here a long time, I feel like all the decisions have been made based on family the last few years.”
At least one Frenchman has big problems with this decision.
Frédéric Weiss, a French league television analyst and former French national team player, harshly criticized Embiid's decision to select Team USA on a French radio show.
“I think this kid is a dirty guy and a great player at the same time,” Weiss said. “I hate what he did…I think it's a scandal and I think it's embarrassing. I don't care about his excuses, it's his words and there's nothing in his words. Because it makes no sense.”
First of all…boy? Well…leave it alone.
This sounds a lot like Giants fans and Tiki Barber when Saquon Barkley decided to sign with the Eagles. Like the salty ex-boyfriend she chose for the guy with the high-paying job and the Tesla.
Weiss was 15thth He was drafted overall by the Knicks in 1999, but never played a single minute in the NBA. Although he won a silver medal with France at his 2000 Olympics, he is best known for his role in international basketball, which many of his fans refer to as the “Dunk of Death.”
Former NBA star, Olympian and slam dunk champion Vince Carter stole an outlet pass and headed to the rim with only the 7-foot-2 Weiss guarding him. Carter took off and hit Ober Weiss for a dunk. This slum will never be forgotten by anyone who saw it.
It's unclear if Weiss still has nightmares about Carter, but he doesn't want to see Embiid try to emulate that feat from his compatriot.
Weiss continued, “I'm going to strip him of his French citizenship and ban him from entering France. You won't be at the Olympics. You'll come to the airport with Team USA, and we'll say to you: You have no right to enter the territory, go home. You are Cameron, you are not French, go away.”
