Joel Embiid sends poignant but loving message to Boston Celtics fans

Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics could not complete the scan against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4, as they fell by a wide margin: 122-84 after four quarters.

Before the game, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid expressed a somewhat confusing message that might make you think more than you need to. He says he “can’t stand” Boston but has “great fans.”

“I can’t stand them, I hate Boston,” Embiid said June 14 on ESPN’s NBA Countdown (h/t Horrible announcement.) “Great city, great fans. They have great players.”

It’s more than likely that a ton of other NBA stars feel the same way about Boston, so we’ll give Embiid the benefit of the doubt in this situation. The 76ers franchise player had just one win in four games against the Cs throughout the regular season.

If the Knicks hadn’t beaten them earlier in the playoffs, it could have resulted in a Boston-Philadelphia pairing in the Eastern Conference Finals. Who knows?

Still, it was nice to see Embiid doing well, especially after the Bell’s Palsy experience he had, leaving half of his face numb and unable to move.

It may not have been the most obvious move, but Embiid commented on what the future might look like while observing Clippers star Paul George in the process.

“Hopefully this offseason we find a way to improve and add some things,” Embiid said, pointing to impending free agent Paul George, who joined him on the panel (h/t Launderer’s Report).

If the 76ers can add George to the mix for next season, it could shake things up hugely in the Eastern Conference. However, the Boston Celtics will still have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for a while, so it will be difficult to top them – but they can always try.

Embiid has yet to appear in an NBA Finals, but he has been so close on numerous occasions. It must have the right parts to go the distance.

Next time, when the 76ers and Celtics face off again, the guys in green could be the reigning national champions.