NBA MVP Joel Embiid’s ruptured left meniscus has dominated headlines, generating a debate regarding
load management and drawing criticism from certain media members.
Following rumors that Embiid played injured before to the rupture, LeBron James has called for an apology.
“Where are all the media outlets, tv media personalities, hot takes that talked so much [s] about Joel Embiid about missing those games when he knew what he was dealing with?” On Friday, James posted on X (previously Twitter). “No one has gone back on TV or their dumb podcast and apologized to that MAN!! “No accountability.”
Prior to the injury, Embiid missed games due to “soreness”; he sat out against the Denver Nuggets last
weekend and again on Monday in Portland before returning to the field Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors and injured his left knee again.
The 76ers were penalized for not include Embiid on the injury report before to the Denver game.
Embiid’s fourth consecutive missed game in Denver, particularly against rival Nikola Jokić, sparked criticism, with some claiming he dodged the contest.
James appeared to respond to these charges by defending Embiid and denouncing media coverage. However, his intervention prompted criticism, particularly from Stephen A. Smith.
“A couple of things: first, we saw The Shop. “Nobody called that a dumb* show,” Smith explained. “Why don’t you control your mouth?” Number two, because it isn’t a dumb* program, I will respect you for it,
even if we disagree, LeBron. Number two, LeBron James, why are you lying? Who discussed Joel Embiid
and questioned his injury? Joel Embiid was picked third overall years ago and missed the first two
seasons of his career due to injuries. He has been wounded several times over his career.
He has had problematic knees his whole career. What the hell are you talking about?
“We’re all aware that he has an injury history. He is prone to injuries. He is the NBA’s reigning MVP. He was wounded on Tuesday night and was diagnosed with a meniscus tear to his left knee. Nobody was surprised by Joel Embiid’s development.
Some people said, “Damn, you never play in Denver, but you were on the court against Golden State when (Jonathan) Kuminga fell on your left knee.”
The argument was that if you could’ve played in Golden State against the Warriors, you could’ve played a
few days earlier against the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić, which you hadn’t
played in Denver and only visited once a year—since 2019. So they haven’t had the chance to witness Joel Embiid play in person.
Nobody questioned the credibility of the injuries he sustained. They were claiming that he had not sustained that injury until he was hit by Kuminga during the Warriors game.
However, previous to that, he was working out in Denver before being dragged off the court. Tell the truth, ‘new media.’ State the facts. “Tell the entire story.”
Smith adds that the topic is not about those who are harmed or those who encourage major injuries. He emphasizes that this fact is clear and indisputable.
“What we’re talking about are people, not necessarily you, LeBron James, but looked a hell of a lot like you last night in Boston, where you are getting ready to play in New York,” he said. “But somehow, 48 hours ago, you couldn’t play in Boston.
That is exactly what we are talking about. Again, it does not apply to you since you are not that man; you play when you get the opportunity.
Nobody would question your impunity or integrity in that aspect, but the fact is that far too many players in the NBA have Days off were strictly utilized for relaxation.
“So, why did you take four, five, and six months off during the offseason? Do you understand why?
Because while LeBron remains ready, most others spend their summer lazing about and not putting in the
effort. And they begin preparing when training camp commences. As a result, they’re unprepared to face someone as amazing as you, LeBron.
Not health-wise, and certainly not conditioning-wise. Are you going to share that story?
“Of course you are not. Because this is not what new media does. The concept of new media is simply,
‘Bump old media; we are going to do this s*** our way.’ And with that, we’ll say whatever we want to. We
will spin whatever we want. And we’ll make up our own tales and pretend they’re accurate, rather than one-sided. That is precisely what I stated. And I intended it.”
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