NBA: Rudy Gobert’s huge message for Joel Embiid

Posted on July 17, 2022 at 1:35 p.m. by Quentin Guiton

One of the soap operas of recent months has just ended. Since July 13, Joel Embiid is officially naturalized French! A real bomb in the middle of basketball, but also a subject that is debated, especially in France. And Rudy Gobert spoke about a possible arrival of Embiid in the national team…

Since 2016, rumors have been circulating about a desire to Joel Embiid to obtain French nationality, he who has family in France. And this rumor had resurfaced in recent months. The fulcrum of Philadelphia Sixers had even launched the procedures with the French authorities a few weeks ago. And on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, Joel Embiid was officially naturalized French! Thus, the pivot of Cameroonian origin could well participate in the next international competitions with theFrench teamand therefore the Basketball World Cup 2023 ! Of course, the coach must also Vincent Collet decides to call him.

NBA: Durant claims his trade, he is totally blocked https://t.co/eDslURnDUB pic.twitter.com/zJRBxvZedY

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One of the best players in the League

And if there is one thing that cannot be denied, it is that the France now has one of the very best players in the NBA ! These last years, Joel Embiid became a reference to his position. A true athletic monster in the key and off the three-pointer, this force of nature averaged 30.6 points per game last season, shooting almost 50%, 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Offensively and defensively, Embiid is a dominant player. And even if he has not yet succeeded in bringing the Sixers further in the playoffs, the 2.13m center has finished second in the MVP race for the past two seasons.

A hotly debated topic

And the possibility thatFrench team to be able to form a racket with Joel Embiid and Rudy Gobert makes the whole world salivate, not to mention the presence of crack Victor Wembanyama. After the Team USAthe France has established itself as the other great basketball nation in recent years. During the last Olympic Games, the French confirmed this observation by finishing with the silver medal after a disputed final against the UNITED STATES. But among fans and players, the naturalization of Joel Embiid is debated. Some question the morality of this naturalization. Become French just to win titles? Nicholas Batum for example said: “On the ethical side this raises questions, on the basketball side there are zero to ask”. On the side of Cameroon also this choice was not very well received. Coach Sacha Giffa said it was “sad for the African continent”.

Valid Gobert!

The player of theFrench team Moustapha Fall also expressed himself by saying that if he was available, he absolutely had to be taken. And it’s the turn of the pillar of the national team Rudy Gobert to give his opinion in the columns of the JDD. And the new pivot of Minnesota Timberwolves was very clear: “A player like Joel Embiid, there is only one in the world. So yes, I would like to see him one day with the jersey of the French team. It is above all up to the coach to make this decision. But no one can really say no to a talent like him. From the moment it sticks to our team, our chemistry, our principles of play and that he is ready to adapt to it, it can be a very good weapon for us. […] What if Joel [Embiid] is selected, of course he will be well received”. Rudy Gobert has therefore chosen its camp and is ready to welcome open arms Joel Embiid in French team !