Photo: emilee
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid was ejected from his game against the Spurs last night following an angry outburst directed at referee Jenna Schroeder. Dan Beyer and Monse Bolaños (in for Doug Gottlieb) react to the footage. The two are in agreement: this is a terrible look for Embiid and the NBA as a whole -- particularly in a year where viewership is already struggling.
Dan Beyer: "What Joel Embiid did to the official when he got ejected [was a complete joke]. When you see it, it's uncomfortable. Embiid towering over a female official... I'm sorry, it's an awful look.... The visual of Embiid being 7 feet tall, towering over a female official and getting in her face over a call is not a good look for the NBA. That's my problem with it... Joel Embiid has to be better, because like it or not, a line was crossed last night. You talk about all the reasons people haven't been wanting to watch the NBA... this would be another one and it would be a big one if players are gonna continue to act like this."
Monse Bolaños: "He literally chases her down, he's so mad. We see NBA players get mad at officials all the time. They talk smack, they drop F-bombs... but the thing is, they're walking away [when they do it]! Joel Embiid went up to her, [got in her face] and was 100 percent breathing on top of her. I don't know if he made contact, but he was [close enough to be] breathing on her, and she can feel his breath, he's WAY too close. He had to be separated by his teammates! In the first half of a game against the Spurs! What are you doing!?"