Joel Embiid unexpectedly joined ESPN’s NBA Countdown before Friday night’s NBA Finals game, leading to a strange scene involving Paul George.
The Philadelphia 76ers star addressed how his team can improve for next season, and he mentioned the need to “add some pieces.”
George, who is in contract talks with the Los Angeles Clippers, can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. With George seated right next to Embiid, the inevitable happened.
“Hopefully, this offseason we find a way to get better and you know,” Embiid paused briefly, rolling his eyes theatrically in George’s direction, “add some pieces …”
That subtle move and statement got everyone on the set talking at once, with Kendrick Perkins saying, “That’s the piece, sitting right next to him.”
Joel Embiid on the Boston Celtics (on ESPN’s ‘NBA Countdown’): “I can’t stand them. I can’t stand them. I hate Boston… it hurts me a lot.” #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/OSQZlrmwqM
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 15, 2024
Many fans thought the NBA might frown on Embiid’s comments as tampering, but really, a roll of the eyes isn’t going to get him in trouble. But some fans thought it was more than a coincidence the two stars ended up together on the ESPN set. Did the network do that on purpose to set up just such a scenario? If so, some fans thought that was a brilliant move, while others found it devious.
Paul George and Joel embiid both being on ESPN was NOT a coincidence 😭.
So funny watching embiid lowkey recruit him
— NBA (N burner association) (@SpecificallyChi) June 15, 2024
So it seems like the story is that Joel Embiid was in the building for the NBA Finals with Josh Harris and ran into Tim Bontemps. Tim told Joel that Paul George was on the pregame show and Joel said he would go on too without an invite
That totally rocks. Well done Joel pic.twitter.com/Sd6R40DHxc
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) June 15, 2024
Nasty work by ESPN having Joel embiid on air with Paul George when they know he’s in contract talks with the clippers, and thinking about joining the 76ers
— Ball, In fact, did not become life. (@JTFlashPoint) June 15, 2024
It seems the biggest game 4 takeaway is that ESPN really put Joel Embiid and Paul George on the set together.
What a move to create so many more stories… honestly brilliant ESPN move. BRILLIANT!
— Michael Fiddle (@FiddlesPicks) June 15, 2024
Live look at Steve Ballmer seeing Embiid on set with PG-13: pic.twitter.com/VaIuAwNWrv
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 15, 2024
[USA Today]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.