Joel Embiid, reigning NBA MVP and Philadelphia 76ers Center, discusses his childhood obsession with football in Cameroon, his love for Arsenal and Real Madrid, and his admiration for football commentator Peter Drury. They also talk about Embiid's decision to represent Team USA in the Olympics and his aspirations for his child's future.
Joel Embiid expresses his love for football and his wish to be a football player, highlighting how his football skills have influenced his basketball game.
Joel Embiid admires Jude Bellingham for his instincts and ability, comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo, and discusses the joy he experiences while watching football games.
Deep dives
Joel Embiid's 70-point game and love for football
Joel Embiid, the NBA MVP and a football enthusiast, talks about his remarkable 70-point game for the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite his incredible performance, Embiid feels he could have done even better. He compares his mindset to Erling Haaland's dissatisfaction after scoring nine goals in a single game for Norway's U20 team. Embiid expresses his love for football and reveals that he wishes he were a football player. He believes that his football skills have influenced his basketball game, specifically his footwork and coordination. Embiid also discusses his passion for Arsenal and Real Madrid, highlighting their histories, iconic players, and his connection to them as a fan. He expresses his trust in Arsenal's process and his optimism for their future success. Embiid concludes by sharing his decision to represent the United States in the upcoming Olympics, despite having the option to play for Cameroon or France. He also discusses the potential football career of his three-year-old son, Arthur, expressing his desire for him to play football but ultimately allowing him to choose his own path.
Embiid's love for football and admiration of Jude Bellingham
Joel Embiid reveals his admiration for Jude Bellingham, the 20-year-old footballer thriving at Borussia Dortmund and the England national team. Embiid describes Bellingham's instincts and ability to always be in the right place at the right time, comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo. As a lifelong football fan, Embiid talks about his passion for the sport and the joy he experiences while watching games. He mentions how football's emphasis on teamwork and collective effort inspires him, unlike basketball, where individual talent can often determine the outcome of a game. Embiid further discusses his love for Real Madrid and Arsenal, highlighting their histories, iconic players, and the connection he feels to these clubs as a fan.
Embiid's journey from Cameroon to NBA stardom
Joel Embiid reflects on his journey from growing up in Cameroon, where football is the number one sport, to becoming an NBA MVP and six-time All-Star. He reminisces about the passion for football in Cameroon during his youth and the excitement that games, even friendly matches, would bring to the nation. Embiid shares his childhood love for football, expressing that it was his first love and admitting that he preferred it over basketball. Nevertheless, he ended up pursuing basketball and discusses how football helped shape his footwork and coordination in basketball. Embiid also talks about the challenges he faced in his career and the pride he feels in representing both Cameroon and the United States.
Embiid's love for Arsenal and trust in their process
Joel Embiid discusses his love for Arsenal, highlighting their successful past, including the invincible team, their history of signing French players, and his admiration for Thierry Henry. Embiid talks about the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during Arsenal's promising season, which ultimately ended in disappointment as they fell short of winning the league. Despite this, he expresses trust in Arsenal's process and their ability to compete for titles in the future. Embiid also mentions the importance of health and the key players Arsenal needs to perform well, including Gabriel, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka. He ends by sharing his optimistic prediction that Arsenal will finish in the top three of the Premier League.
"I LOVE FOOTBALL MORE THAN I LOVE BASKETBALL. I WISH I WAS A FOOTBALL PLAYER."
On the latest Men in Blazers pod special, Rog is joined by The Process himself, Philadelphia 76ers Center and reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid. And the man is proper football. Rog and Joel deep dive into his childhood obsession with football in his native Cameroon, how he became a massive Arsenal and Real Madrid fan, and the undying love he has for the great Peter Drury.
