ESPN writer Dotun Akintoye unleashed a 10,000 word plus profile on Joel Embiid that drew widespread praise for its depth, insights, and access to the Philadelphia 76ers superstar. In an age of bite sized media, a thoroughly reported written feature with unique access and a fresh story to tell is the white whale of modern day media.
But while the feature piece is likely to inspire fans of Embiid or encourage some more grace to be shown to the Sixers center (at least from those who took the time to read it) there is still some cynicism about how it came about. And it comes from Embiid’s own city of Philadelphia.
One person who was clearly not impressed by the lengthy profile was Philly radio host John Kincade of 97.5 The Fanatic. The station’s social media profile shared a lengthy quote from Kincade saying “this was absolutely a piece orchestrated by his camp” and questioning why ESPN did not have one of their NBA writers author the profile. The basis of his argument is that it was clearly a piece that originated in Embiid’s camp to draw sympathy for the often embattled big man and was merely lengthy public relations work.
And that wasn’t all. Kincade also talked about Embiid’s struggles last season to be healthy. He doubled down on the criticism by saying Joel Embiid is not accountable for his actions and plays the victim card.
“Very not accountable for his own actions. Very much he’s the victim,” Kincade said. “That was my big takeaway, is that it’s always going to be, what someone else did to him, where someone else failed him, what wasn’t doesn’t done for him, the medical staff, coaching staff. Not what he could have done better. It was what did someone else not do for me.”
It’s tough criticism towards Joel Embiid that he is unfortunately likely used to at this point in his career. But it’s also tough because it shows that Embiid can’t win until he delivers a lengthy playoff run and stays healthy with the Philadelphia 76ers. The piece by Dotun Akintoye showed a completely new side of Embiid – one that was open, honest, and vulnerable.
Philadelphia 76ers fans are entitled to be frustrated and wonder what could have been and what still might yet be with Joel Embiid and his health. But it’s rare these days that we get such an in-depth profile of the human being behind the basketball player. And reactions like this one from John Kincade aren’t going to encourage athletes, especially in Philadelphia, to risk doing that again.
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