Joel Embiid is just trying to make you laugh.
That’s at least what he’s claiming was the impetus for a viral tweet back in February.
Embiid has never shied away from admitting that he likes being a troll on the internet. But his Mona Lisa was back on trade deadline day, when the Philadelphia 76ers swing a blockbuster trade that sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden.
Things had been acrimonious between Simmons and the Sixers, so the trade was a huge break for Philly. That’s when Embiid fired off a simple meme of a man in a suit.
For those unfamiliar, that photo originally was posted by someone who, basically, in the caption put that it was taken at the funeral for his "biggest hater", which he attended just to make sure he actually was dead.
That tweet from Embiid sent folks into a frenzy, using it as a sign that he detested Simmons. Embiid has been candid but respectful of Simmons through pretty much the whole process, and he explained to former teammate JJ Redick on the “Old Man and the Three” podcast why he posted it.
“Not long,” Embiid responded when asked how long he had the meme saved in his phone. “I wasn’t even really aware about the meme … it just happened. But one thing I want to add is that you know me, that’s the reason why I have troll in my Twitter account. Everything that I do, it’s not personal, I just love having fun.
“Before I send out any tweet I’m on the floor in my freakin’ living room just dying laughing about it because I know that people are going to go crazy,” Embiid continued. “To me it’s so funny, I’m just doing it for fun. … When I did it, it wasn’t because I was mad or happy or whatever, I was just like ‘OK, this is my chance to make people laugh.’ That’s the way I look at it, make myself laugh and also make other people laugh and make their days better in a way.”
Embiid clearly does not care that some took it as a shot at Simmons.
And, frankly, so long as he continues to find himself entertaining, those types of tweets from Embiid likely won’t cease anytime soon.
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