Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid reportedly physically confronted columnist Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer following his team’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
Embiid took issue with a recent column Hayes wrote, which targeted his availability, among other criticisms.
While Embiid wasn’t upset with the column’s overall message, he was particularly offended by Hayes’ mention of his late brother and family. According to those who witnessed what transpired, Embiid expressed that he could accept criticism regarding his performance and conditioning but firmly stated that Hayes should never bring up his deceased brother’s name.
For reference, this is what Embiid took issue with:
For reference, this is what Marcus Hayes wrote about Embiid. Not hard to see why Joel was upset. Criticise his performances and his availability or lack thereof but this absolutely crossed the line https://t.co/xlgoJxZxeG pic.twitter.com/zIeKDhEzjO
— Steve Smith (@steve__smith__) November 3, 2024
On his Nightcap show, Shannon Sharpe defended Hayes, suggesting the column intended to add context, not disrespect. According to Sharpe, Hayes was connecting Embiid’s desire to leave a legacy for his son — named after his late brother, Arthur — with Embiid’s personal drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acs11uE5wZg
“There’s a reason why you have reporters because it’s about stories,” Sharpe attempted to explain to his Nightcap co-host, Chad Johnson. “That’s why you have people that comment on the games. They’re not just saying Xs and Os; it’s a storyline. Sports is about stories. He didn’t disparage his brother; he didn’t disparage his son. Joel said, ‘I want to leave a legacy.’ OK, the legacy is, when people think of Joel Embiid, he named his son after his brother.”
“Ocho, he said the man wants to leave a legacy,” Sharpe continued. “By him not being there…all he did was provide context. The reason why Joel Embiid named his son Arthur, he named his son after his little brother, who tragically died. So (Hayes) is providing context for why Joel said it’s so important for him to leave a legacy. And he wants to be remembered for something and why he named his son after his brother.”
Sharpe doesn’t think it’s insensitive, but Johnson raised a valid point: Embiid wouldn’t have reacted so strongly if it hadn’t been callous.
But there was a reason Embiid got physical with Hayes. He sought him out and made previous references to those quotes, which Hayes wasn’t present for. Given the opportunity to confront him Saturday, Embiid took action. Shoving Hayes only underscores how personal this issue is for Embiid, proving that criticism of his availability is one thing, but bringing family into it is crossing a line he won’t tolerate.
“I don’t take it as being insensitive. That’s Joel; how he took it…I can’t tell somebody how they should react in that moment,” said Sharpe. “I think the thing is for me, being in the media and having a little better understanding on this side, because a lot of times we say things and we think it’s innocent. And to us, it is. But to the individual…
“But I think it had more to do with the criticism about Joel Embiid constantly missing games, Joel Embiid constantly being out of shape. I think that rubbed Joel Embiid the wrong way.”
Sharpe might see the value in connecting the dots, but Embiid’s physical reaction highlights that certain boundaries should not be crossed—especially when it comes to family.
[Nightcap]
