Philly Superfan Gillie Da Kid Blasts Joel Embiid for Failing to Feed off City’s Character

Philadelphia 76ers fans need a full healthy season from Joel Embiid if their city is to fight for NBA championships.

Philly Superfan Gillie Da Kid Blasts Joel Embiid for Failing to Feed off City’s Character

Gillie Da Kid questions Joel Embiid's effort (Image via FirstSportz)

Joel Embiid is the Philadelphia 76ers’ most important player. The seven-footer has been excellent when healthy, and the franchise decided to finally build a championship roster around him. With the likes of Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and others playing off him, Philadelphia fans hoped this was their season.

The team looked mighty on paper, and some believed they could dethrone the defending champion Boston Celtics. But when the season started, it looked anything but that of a championship-contending team.

Injuries to both Embiid and George throttled the Sixers, and they lost a lot of games. They did come back and won a few games. Eventually, Embiid’s knee started acting up the franchise shut him down for the season.

Those in the media believed it was all Embiid’s fault, as he did not do what was necessary to stay healthy. But Philadelphia native and Philly sports superfan Gillie Da Kid spoke from his heart when talking on Paul George’s podcast.

I hate to be harsh, but I got to speak about how we’re feeling, man. We don’t even know if our best player is going to be available. The only difference is, we don’t know what we going to get every night. Philadelphia, we like to see effort. We are a hard-working city.

Gillie Da Kid said

The rapper cum podcast host made it clear that Allen Iverson and Jason Kelce are legendary in the city just because they gave 100% effort every time they were in the game. Joel Embiid has not done that, and his comments about not playing back-to-back games have not sat well with Philly sports fans.

Joel Embiid has to win back Philly fans

Joel Embiid admittedly came back sooner than necessary before the 2024 playoffs. After that, he joined Team USA to play in the Paris Olympics. All of that extra activity hindered his recovery, and that is what caused his knee to give up earlier this season.

Joel Embiid needs to win back Philadelphia fans
Joel Embiid needs to win back Philadelphia fans (Image via Open Source/X)

The franchise shut him down and he visited the same specialist in Germany as San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey did. Hopefully for Philadelphia fans, it all works out for the better and the Cameroonian comes back fully healthy.

He is 31 years old, and as time passes, his chances at winning a championship dwindle. Philly fans might not exercise patience if he continues to struggle with fitness. Embiid has to properly heal this time and work on his conditioning.

The next season, he has to prove to Philadelphia fans that he will give his maximum effort to try and win a championship. But for that to happen, he will also need the support of Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and all his teammates.

Gillie Da Kid keeps it real with Paul George

A healthy Joel Embiid can be a problem for any team that faces the Philadelphia 76ers. But he alone cannot win the NBA title. Tyrese Maxey is usually healthy, but Paul George’s health issues are well-documented. He explained to Gillie Da Kid what happened last season. After listening, the rapper kept it real.

I’ma keep it all the way real. I gave you a pass this year. This year, you gotta go stupid bro.

Gillie Da Kid said

Listening to this, George reiterated that most of the health issues he had caught him off guard, and one after the other, kept snowballing and making matters worse. This season, he agrees he will give his best. Otherwise, they will not fulfil the potential they are touted to reach.

George also has to consider that his four-year, $212 million contract is hanging around his neck. If he does not perform or cannot stay healthy, the Sixers will look at other players. Eventually, they will look for a trade partner to offload his contract and move on. If he wants to completely bank that $212 million, he has to perform.

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