Joel Embiid was visibly sobbing after losing Game 7, and no one should come remotely close to trolling him about it.
Playoff basketball creates some of the most exciting endings in all sports. The last few seconds of a close basketball game can feel like a lifetime, and one shot can change the destiny for so many players, coaches and teams. The drama is unmatched even by some of the best shows on television.
Being on the losing end of a buzzer beater in game seven is emotional for everyone involved and Joel Embiid is no different.
Give us a guy who cares this much.
Give us a guy who pours his heart out after a heartbreaking loss.Thank you, Joel Embiid. You will be back. pic.twitter.com/G2uqTP2Day
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 13, 2019
losing on a buzzer beater is always heartbreaking. But to lose on a buzzer beater that bounced 4 times off the rim to be sent home in a game 7 is next level. Joel Embiid is a true competitor who put his body on the line for the Sixers every second of this series. He played 45 minutes in game 7 alone.
He was sick throughout the series but he persevered and left everything in the arena, and it was all seemingly for nothing. After the game, he could be seen crying on the court and was consoled by players on both teams. These emotions carried into the locker room.
Nothing but respect after a 7-game series. 👏👏👏@JoelEmbiid x @MarcGasol pic.twitter.com/PyeiuET278
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 13, 2019
During Inside the NBA on TNT, Charles Barkley said that “everyone has cried over a loss in a big game”. The crew continued to explain how it’s just part of being a competitor. When you give so much and end up losing, it takes a physical and emotional toll on you, no matter the situation.
Joel Embiid is in tears after the game with his girlfriend
He gave it everything he had. 45 minutes. Nobody played more #Sixers pic.twitter.com/C5t5hAxw7T
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 13, 2019
Joel Embiid and every player on the Philadelphia 76ers loves basketball. They live and breathe the game for a majority of the year, and all of their hard work ended with a single shot by Kawhi Leonard.
Of course, fans got off jokes, but 99% of us would react the same way Joel Embiid did. Embiid showing emotion just shows how much he loves the game.
Powerful scene outside the 76ers locker room. Joel Embiid’s girlfriend Anne de Paula was waiting outside. A weeping Embiid stepped out. They kissed. Cried. She gave him some encouraging words & wiped his tears. Embiid returned to the locker room, looking toward sky, like, ‘Why?’
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) May 13, 2019
However, his teammates, opposing Raptors players and people on Twitter were there to support Embiid. The City of Philadelphia made it known that they had his back. Everyone knows Embiid left his all on the hardwood no matter what he was dealing with. He has the heart of a champion.
heart of a champion, joel embiid embodies the city of philadelphia because this is how we all feel right now. we’ll be back. pic.twitter.com/VrmWJhU3ts
— Drew Corrigan (@Dcorrigan50) May 13, 2019
Joel Embiid embodies what It means to give your all, and when it doesn’t work out, it can be devastating. Joel Embiid deserves our respect and he will be back stronger than ever next year. All he and any of us can do after a loss like this is stand up, dust yourself off and get right back to fighting.
heart of a champion, joel embiid embodies the city of philadelphia because this is how we all feel right now. we’ll be back. pic.twitter.com/VrmWJhU3ts
— Drew Corrigan (@Dcorrigan50) May 13, 2019