'How Joel Embiid became the MOST HATED man in FRANCE'

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If you’ve been following the Paris Olympics, especially USA Men's basketball, you’ve likely noticed the loud boos every time Joel Embiid touches the ball. It's so intense that it might remind you of the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden. But why is Joel Embiid being booed so heavily by the French crowd? It all boils down to his decision to play for Team USA in the Olympics.

Joel Embiid, born in Cameroon and a naturalized citizen of both France and the USA, had the unique option to play for any of these three countries. Ultimately, he chose Team USA for several reasons:

Gold Medal Aspirations: Cameroon did not qualify for the Paris Olympics, and between France and the USA, Embiid wanted the best chance at winning a gold medal.

Comfort and Familiarity: Embiid has been living in the USA since high school, has played his entire professional career in the USA, and his son was born in the USA in 2020. Although Embiid calls America, Cameroon, and France home, he most likely feels most at home in the United States.

So, why is the French crowd booing him when other dual-nationality players have chosen to play for countries other than France in the past? The key issue is that France feels they were used by Joel Embiid. French officials granted Embiid citizenship with the hope he would join forces with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert for the Paris Olympics. Embiid had expressed interest in playing for France multiple times during the 2021-22 NBA season, and even tweeted about France after they beat Team USA in the 2020 Olympics.

Because of Embiid's potential impact on their team, French officials bypassed the usual requirements for citizenship. Embiid was granted a French passport despite not having direct French heritage or living in France for at least two years. This decision sparked outrage when Embiid chose not to play for Team France, as some felt he exploited their system.

Frederic Weis, a former player, voiced his frustration, stating: "I hate him for the things that he did. I think he doesn't have any respect for France and also for all the people who are asking for a French passport and don't get it. And under the pretext that he is a great athlete, he got it. I find it scandalous, I find it embarrassing. I don't care about his excuses, because they are his words, and his words mean nothing."

Despite the backlash, Embiid seems unfazed by the boos, stating that average players don't get booed. Even his teammate, Tyrese Haliburton, took to Instagram to poke fun at the outraged French.

Team USA plays Brazil in the Quarter Finals of the Paris Olympics next. When you tune in, pay close attention to the crowd whenever Embiid touches the ball!

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