Joel Embiid and when criticism of athletes goes too far – Andscape

It doesn't seem like it's been nearly three years since one of Philadelphia's favorite sons knocked the taste out of Chris Rock's mouth. I remember the initial outrage and how people insisted this would mean the end of Will Smith's career. In a funny twist of irony, it was a film series called “Bad Boys” that put Smith back on the map and reminded people of his greatness.

I thought about the slap in the face when Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid shoved columnist Marcus Hayes Philadelphia Investigators The columnist made a cheap attempt in one of his comments. It was a banner week for Philly sports icons as former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce attacked a heckler's phone on Penn State University's campus after the “fan” used a homophobic slur against his brother. Kelce apologized and said he meets “hate with hate.” But isn't that the American way?

The incidents were a reminder of how comfortable society is with leaving the field to attack athletes, but most people only identify with such conflicts when they become physical, such as Kelce's encounter or outfielder Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, against a few hitters Yankees apparel during the World Series. But what happens when these attacks involve the media?

The NBA's investigation into the incident resulted in a three-game suspension for Embiid. “Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” NBA Executive VP of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars said in a statement. “While we understand that Joel was offended by the personal nature of the reporter's original version of the column, interactions on both sides must remain professional and never become physical.”

As for Dumars, there was a lack of professionalism and mutual respect long before Embiid lost his temper. In my view, “The Shove” wasn't as damaging as this excerpt from Hayes' short-sighted and insensitive column:

Joel Embiid repeatedly describes the birth of his son Arthur as the decisive turning point in his basketball career. He often says he wants to be great, to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in a car accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er.

Well, to be great at your job, you must first show up to work. Embiid was the exact opposite great.

Those lines have since been deleted from Hayes' column, but the damage has been done, not just by those specific words, but in a general sense. Russell Westbrook's response to a racist fan in 2019 should have been met not only with a swift reprimand, but also with actionable steps to prevent such incidents from occurring again. Because we treat athletes like they are part of the entertainment and not people, we allow incidents to occur because we believe they are just part of the circus.

This political sense could be more pronounced in the professional leagues if certain members of the media didn't add fuel to the fire with their own antics. People even go so far as to call it “journalism,” even though our industry is not just about reporting, nor is it about the end product. It's about how we interact with the community, whether we use words to build up or to tear down.

It was hard for me to get angry about “The Slap” or “The Shove” because I understand America. Violence is irrevocably embedded in our DNA, both in terms of poverty and in terms of politics. The nastiness we allow in our divisive and hyperpolarized politics – with little room for decency, let alone democracy – has driven this country insane. What does a single slap or shove mean in a world where police brutality continues? When violence against women continues, both in the home and in healthcare?

This may seem like a no-brainer for people who want to separate politics and sports, but there has always been a reciprocity between the two. This is why LeBron James needs to shut up and dribble while San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Nick Bosa's choice of headgear and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's political kicks, however far right, are celebrated. Furthermore, the old saying about “sticks and stones” was always intellectually dishonest when it came to words. Words hurt, and more than that, words are the beginning of narratives that drive this particular industry, for better or worse. Fake newsyou say?

When media corporations and their underlings, regardless of race or gender, push the envelope and hold athletes accountable in a distorted sense, it is a race to the bottom that we are all losing. Our industry is full of junk food trends that not only perpetuate the “fake news” narrative, but devalue both the athlete and what people perceive as journalism.

When Embiid says he's done too much for this city for people to say he doesn't want to play, that's a comment that goes beyond the court. Contrary to the narratives of people who don't care, athletes are involved in their communities beyond the superficial or, to put it more cynically, treating charity as a tax write-off. I was in Memphis less than a month ago and was impressed by the city's embrace of a fellow South Carolinian, Ja Morant, for all his flaws. His teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. spoke compellingly about players' conscientiousness when it comes to the legacy of civil rights during the Freedom Award ceremony, the National Civil Rights Museum's special event.

Embiid doubles down on his commitment to the city by calling his charitable gestures “In Memory of Arthur.” The faces these initiatives serve are similar to mine. And his. They are important for those of us who care about more than load management or titles.

The championship perspective is really an ironic component to all of this. Would you like to see Embiid in November or during the playoffs? Certainly the Olympics took its toll, but his presence was necessary for this country to win the gold medal. The man needs time to get back to full strength. That's part of the process, whether you like it or not.

Our industry needs a cultural reset. Our criticism of athletes and celebrities should not dehumanize them. When celebrities or athletes respond to abhorrent behavior by throwing a tantrum, it doesn't make them any less human. It makes them more human because they are fighting back against the darkness. And our industry should try to do the same.