Joel Embiid wants Nicolas Batum back with Sixers
“Right now, my head is focused on the Olympics,” said Batum, referencing his long-standing role with the French national team. Embiid wants Batum back, interrupting that postgame 6 question with “you’re coming back to the Sixers.” Nurse, meanwhile, has long appreciated Batum’s defensive versatility. He also possesses underrated skills, such as post-entry and inbounds passing, to go along with his nearly 40% three-point shooting. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season, while toggling between a starting and reserve role.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
The last time the Boston Celtics won a Game 2 in the #NBAPlayoffs
-The In-Season Tournament didn’t exist
-Victor Wembanyama hadn’t played a single NBA game yet
-The Golden State Warriors were the reign champs
-Joel Embiid has been named NBA MVP
#DifferentHere – 10:28 PM
The last time the Boston Celtics won a Game 2 in the #NBAPlayoffs
-The In-Season Tournament didn’t exist
-Victor Wembanyama hadn’t played a single NBA game yet
-The Golden State Warriors were the reign champs
-Joel Embiid has been named NBA MVP
#DifferentHere – 10:28 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
So what’s next for Kyle Lowry? He’s not sure, but he had some fun next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2024/05/05/kyl… via @SixersWire – 6:05 PM
So what’s next for Kyle Lowry? He’s not sure, but he had some fun next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2024/05/05/kyl… via @SixersWire – 6:05 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Competing in the Olympics is the ultimate.
So if Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard can, they should. Fans of their NBA teams might disagree when considering current and previous injuries.
However, if they can’t, who would you add to #TeamUSA? Jalen Brunson? Kyrie Irving? #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/XFabEZmUYy – 12:58 PM
Competing in the Olympics is the ultimate.
So if Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard can, they should. Fans of their NBA teams might disagree when considering current and previous injuries.
However, if they can’t, who would you add to #TeamUSA? Jalen Brunson? Kyrie Irving? #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/XFabEZmUYy – 12:58 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Competing in the Olympics is the ultimate.
So if Embiid and Kawhi Leonard are able to play, they should. Fans of their NBA teams might disagree when considering current and previous injuries.
However, if they can’t go, who would you add to Team USA? Jalen Brunson? Kyrie Irving? pic.twitter.com/cvwZ3YCjqi – 12:53 PM
Competing in the Olympics is the ultimate.
So if Embiid and Kawhi Leonard are able to play, they should. Fans of their NBA teams might disagree when considering current and previous injuries.
However, if they can’t go, who would you add to Team USA? Jalen Brunson? Kyrie Irving? pic.twitter.com/cvwZ3YCjqi – 12:53 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Backup big man Mo Bamba opened up on the challenging season for him as well as a late night phone call he got from Joel Embiid and his free agency values #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2024/05/08/mo-… via @SixersWire – 9:32 AM
Backup big man Mo Bamba opened up on the challenging season for him as well as a late night phone call he got from Joel Embiid and his free agency values #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2024/05/08/mo-… via @SixersWire – 9:32 AM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
MSG crowd chanted “F*ck you, Reggie” during the final minute. Then “F*ck Trae Young” in the stairwell. Heard a “F*ck Embiid” on the concourse. Just a running list of enemies in New York and everyone gets a chorus. – 10:45 PM
MSG crowd chanted “F*ck you, Reggie” during the final minute. Then “F*ck Trae Young” in the stairwell. Heard a “F*ck Embiid” on the concourse. Just a running list of enemies in New York and everyone gets a chorus. – 10:45 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Organizational confidence in Tyrese Maxey was high at the start of this season. But Daryl Morey acknowledged this week that Maxey even exceeded his expectations, affirming the offseason building plan is about Joel Embiid AND Maxey.
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 11:03 AM
Organizational confidence in Tyrese Maxey was high at the start of this season. But Daryl Morey acknowledged this week that Maxey even exceeded his expectations, affirming the offseason building plan is about Joel Embiid AND Maxey.
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 11:03 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most PTS + REB + AST this postseason:
360 — Jokic
349 — Brunson
297 — Embiid
289 — Luka pic.twitter.com/1ARaKnXIOr – 4:22 PM
Most PTS + REB + AST this postseason:
360 — Jokic
349 — Brunson
297 — Embiid
289 — Luka pic.twitter.com/1ARaKnXIOr – 4:22 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Joel Embiid was obviously a big topic at Daryl Morey’s end-of-season press conference. On the Olympics post-knee surgery, building a roster that can sustain without him, and maximizing the MVP’s prime:
“Joel cares about this…more than anybody.”
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 9:55 AM
Joel Embiid was obviously a big topic at Daryl Morey’s end-of-season press conference. On the Olympics post-knee surgery, building a roster that can sustain without him, and maximizing the MVP’s prime:
“Joel cares about this…more than anybody.”
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 9:55 AM
More on this storyline
“One thing I’ve learned is Philly is not for everybody, though,” Batum said. “You’ve got to be ready to play for that city, and I loved it. … I could feel the passion of this city for sports, for the Sixers. And I [felt] it right away, my first game against the Wizards. I [came] in and could feel it… And those fans, even when they’re not happy, you get booed, but I understand why. … I tried to [say to myself], ‘OK, they’re right. Because we suck right now, so we’ve got to play better.’” -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / May 5, 2024
On the court, he had to adjust to a new system and a new set of teammates after so much time with the Clippers. Off the court, there were family matters back in LA he had to attend to and make sure that was taken care of. All of that is a lot to handle. “Top two?” Batum laughed when asked how challenging the season in his career. “That’s my first time I’ve gotten traded during the season. It’s not easy with a family, too. When I got here, people were great. My teammates were amazing. The coaching staff, the fans, the city were amazing. It was fun. I had a lot of fun this year. One thing I’ve learned is Philly is not for everybody, though. You’ve got to be ready to play for that city, and I loved it. It was fun.” -via Sixers Wire / May 4, 2024
Nicolas Batum: Thank you Philly for this season. Thank you for your unbelievable passion and support, one of the best I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, this is not the way we’d like the season to end, but we tried to give everything we’ve got. Much love and respect to the City of Brotherly Love 🙏🏽 Now it’s family time, and I’m looking forward to the Olympics. -via Twitter @nicolas88batum / May 4, 2024
Joel Embiid: LOL -via Twitter @JoelEmbiid / May 6, 2024
Derek Bodner: Daryl Morey was asked whether the team would ever try to talk Joel Embiid out of playing in the Olympics given his injury history: “I think it’s important to support the dreams of your best player….I will always support Joel in something that important to him. “ -via Twitter @DerekBodnerNBA / May 6, 2024