Grant Hill: Joel Embiid choosing to represent the United States still possible

Grant Hill: ‘There is the expectation to win. It’s really, I think people care more about us losing than us winning. And what I mean by that is we’re supposed to win. There’s maybe in a way a lack of appreciation for the international game here in the US. And what I mean by that is that it’s hard, like it’s not easy. You think back to some of those legendary teams, the Redeem Team in 2008. You think back to the 2012 big team with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, all the talent on those teams, and you get on those medal games, it’s a two-point game with 90 seconds left, you know? It’s not the original Dream Team where you steamrolled the competition. The rest of the world has improved, and the talent level has increased. And it’s a game that they are more familiar with the game, is officiated differently, and the rules are different. I’m not making excuses, but really just trying to illustrate that this is not easy. And so we’re grateful for the commitment from the 12 men who will be on this team.” -via Apple Podcasts / July 30, 2023

United States? France? Joel Embiid, the 76ers star, still has to make a decision that could alter the landscape of international basketball. The USA Basketball became hopeful that Embiid, a native of Cameroon, would opt to play for the team in the 2024 Paris Olympics after he became a United States citizen on Sept. 29, 2022. But Embiid, who also gained French citizenship in July 2022, could also play for France, the host country. USA Basketball Manager Director Grant Hill was asked Wednesday on SiriusXM NBA Radio if he’s had a conversation with Embiid. -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / July 27, 2023

“I’ll just answer it with a simple answer, and that’s yes, I’ve talked to him,” Hill said. “Look, he has options. He’s a great player. But he’s also somebody that we talked to about next summer. “You know, we’ll see. We’ll see how that plays out.” -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / July 27, 2023

Hill congratulated Embiid on his marriage on Saturday to Anne de Paula. In April, French national team head coach Vincent Collet said the timing of the marriage made Embiid unlikely to play for France in the FIBA World Cup, which begins in late August. “France is a team that’s probably been our toughest opponent, at least in the last quad,” Hill said. “They beat us in the opening game in the Olympics in ‘21. Then in a very close hard-fought game, we beat them in the gold medal game. And you think of first overall draft pick Victor Wembanyama and others. ” … So it’s not easy. We need to have our best. And we need to have our young players and guys interested, engaged, and want to be a part of it.” -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / July 27, 2023