NBA: Joel Embiid Slams Critics - 'You Don’t Get Here by Being Lazy'

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has revealed he is aware of all the media narratives surrounding his career.

The 2023 NBA MVP has frequently been in the news due to his persistent injury problems, as well as the Sixers’ failure to challenge for an NBA title in recent seasons.

Embiid only played 19 games in the 2024-25 campaign due to struggles with knee, foot and facial injuries. The center had arthroscopic knee surgery in April to fix a recurring problem with his left knee.

In his absence, the 76ers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17. They went out in the first round in 2023-24, having been Eastern Conference semifinalists in each of the previous three seasons.

The 31-year-old feels his commitment is questioned far too often as he keeps up with the news surrounding his name.

"I still see a lot of people bring it up, talking about the silly stuff I used to do as a kid, just my second, my third year in the league," Embiid told ESPN.

"I started playing basketball at 16. You would not be in this position by being lazy.

"Starting so much later than everybody else, having to learn the game at the rapid rate that I did, coming to a new country, not knowing the language, learning a different culture, adjusting, being by yourself, that would not happen if you weren't focused.

"What if I did this and I was like, 'You know what? I'm just going to chill all season and coast and average 25? Or 20.' Then in the playoffs, I go average 30. Would that make me look great? Probably. If I went from averaging 23 to 30, if I was a playoff riser. Oh my God... [it would be] Joel, [Michael] Jordan. Whatever.

"So, if that's the narrative that's out there, I'm okay with that because I know what I'm going through and I know what's going on. And no one is in my body to understand what I'm going through."

Last November, Embiid was suspended for three games for shoving a reporter, who had questioned a statement he made about wanting to "play for his brother", who died in 2014.

Embiid told the reporter: "The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I'm going to do to you."

Embiid's younger brother Arthur passed away in a car crash in October 2014, after Embiid left his native Cameroon and was drafted by the 76ers. 

Reflecting on that incident, Embiid said: “I don't care if the NBA wants to fine me $1 million, $2 million, $5 million, $10 million, I would still do it.

"If he walked up to me just like he did, I would push him away again."