Joel Embiid seems clapback at Hakeem Olajuwon’s comments

Joel Embiid appears to clap back at Olajuwon’s comments Original version: NBC Sports Philadelphia

You had to figure it was only a matter of time before the man who calls himself “Tro-ell” Embiid answered back on what he perceived to be negative comments about the state of basketball today.

Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon was, in case you didn’t see it interviewed by si.com, regarding the way the NBA game has changed for centers over previous generations, that they stray too far from the basket, and the “death of the post-up.” This breakdown of the SI article It is very well written. It’s worth reading.

Thursday night Embiid played his first game since the article was released, and after a 32-point, 9-rebounds performance, he made some thinly-veiled comments regarding Olajuwon’s take on today’s game.

“It’s funny when you’ve got these old guys always talking about posting up, ‘you need to spend time in the paint,’ and all that stuff. You can’t win this way anymore. It’s not the fricking 90s or 80s like it used to be. So, they must not have any basketball IQ.”

JoJo has serious “OK Boomer” vibes with this.

The man has never backed down from a war of words, whether it’s a current opponent or one of the best to ever lace ‘em up. Although Hakeem’s basketball IQ may not be as high, the game has changed significantly from its days.

But most people are nostalgic about their heyday and “the way things used to be,” right?

In their 40s and 30s, people still hold the music, movies, pop culture, and sports that they grew up with dearly. These things were more important to them than other things, such as children, spouses and 401Ks.

The game is certainly different from Olajuwon’s time in the NBA, but you can’t ignore the similarities in the two players’ games, outside the position they share.

Both are among the most respected players on the defensive side of the court. They have a wide range of offensive moves. Embiid actually told his first basketball coach after watching a tape (ask your parents). “I want to be Olajuwon.”

Embiid has even employed Hakeem’s Dream Shake on occasion.

Although they may not agree on The Way Things are vs. The Way Things Used to Be, but I’m sure they’ve admit that they’re more similar than they are different.