With the 76ers eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, All-NBA center Joel Embiid is now enjoying the NBA action at home along with the rest of NBA fans.
While watching Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and Heat, Embiid posed a question to his timeline before sharing an eyebrow-raising take on Miami’s roster.
Miami needs another Star
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 26, 2022
Embiid’s tweet, which has garnered thousands of replies, quotes and retweets, caused many to wonder if he was referring to himself as the other star that could elevate the Heat into becoming a title contender.
After all, this same Heat team eliminated Embiid and the 76ers in the previous round of the playoffs.
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Joel Embiid connection with Jimmy Butler
Adding intrigue to Embiid’s tweet is his relationship with Heat All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, with whom he spent half of a season and one playoff run in Philadelphia. Embiid and Butler are still very close, with Embiid remarking that “I still don’t know how we let him go,” after facing Butler and the Heat this postseason.
“I still don’t know how we let him go.”
Joel Embiid still in pain over losing Jimmy Butler to the Heat 👀😢 pic.twitter.com/vN51ioWSy0
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 13, 2022
Butler clearly feels the same way, saying that “I still wish that I was on his team,” after he and the Heat eliminated Embiid and the Sixers.
Jimmy Butler on what he told Joel Embiid post-game:
“I love him. I’m proud of him. I still wish I was on his team. I definitely love the Miami Heat, though. … I got so much respect and love for Joel Embiid.” pic.twitter.com/jeLQme8zjt
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) May 13, 2022
It’s important to refer back to Embiid’s tweet and note that his display name on Twitter reads Joel “Troel” Embiid, a play on his impressive online trolling skills that have only gotten better with time.
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A master troll, Embiid is almost always calculated with his social media activity. Fittingly, he acknowledged the responses to his assessment of Miami, most of which he probably could have known would come with his initial tweet.
Ok y’all are stupid lmao😂😂😂😂
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 26, 2022
Joel Embiid contract
Naturally, Embiid’s Twitter activity could cause many to wonder about his situation in Philadelphia.
Last August, Embiid signed a four-year supermax to remain under contract with the 76ers through the 2026-27 season, a year in which he’s slated to earn $54.2 million.
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027 | |
| Joel Embiid | $33,616,770 | $43,732,500 | $47,231,100 | $50,729,700 | $54,228,300 | UFA |
Embiid was more than likely joking, but most good jokes contain some element of truth.
The Sixers could make a championship leap next season and this could be much ado about nothing, but if they come up short once again, Embiid’s patience could start to run thin.