Gobert Takes High Road After Embiid Was Emotional Following Game 7 Loss
May 13, 2019, 1:07 PM | Updated: 1:09 pm
(Gene Sweeney Jr. and Vaughn Ridley, Getty Images)
(Gene Sweeney Jr. and Vaughn Ridley, Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Following a heartbreaking loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals where Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard hit a difficult buzzer-beater to knock off the Philadelphia 76ers and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Leonard hit the shot over Joel Embiid, who was very emotional after losing at the buzzer.
Embiid is known for trolling other NBA players, whether it is through interviews or on Twitter.
When clips of Embiid crying was all over social media, “Spicy Curry” on Twitter sent a tweet to Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert to ask him if he was going to troll Embiid for crying, Gobert had a thoughtful response.
Only losers think that crying is a sign of weakness… only shows how much of a competitor and winner you are! https://t.co/WqnFxNqduA
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) May 13, 2019
On January 31, the NBA released the rosters for the All-Star game. Gobert was not voted as an All-Star by the coaches in the NBA. The next day at practice, Gobert was emotional when asked about being snubbed.
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Rather than pouring salt in the wound, Gobert decided to go a different route.
“Losing the game that way,” Embiid said after the loss. “Last shot after a hard fought game, I felt that we had a chance. A lot of things go through your mind, it sucks,” he added.
While Embiid didn’t troll Gobert after being left off the All-Star roster, he did have some things to say on December 27, 2018, when Philadelphia beat Utah 114-97. Embiid finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks. Gobert recorded 17 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists.
“Oh, I love playing against guys like him,” Embiid said after that game in Salt Lake City. “Defensive Player of the Year, I guess,” Embiid said while making air quotes. “I should have gotten that title.”
Embiid was the runner-up behind Gobert for the 2018 Defensive Player of the Year award. But the voting wasn’t close with Gobert receiving 89 first place votes and 466 of the possible 505 voting points. Embiid had just 2 first place votes and 163 voting points.
