Joel Embiid compiled a career high in postseason points with his 40-point outing tonight. But Charles Barkley didn’t see it coming at all.
Advertisement
The Philadelphia 76ers roared back into their Conference Semifinals matchup with an impressive home win tonight. As we’ve already told you, Joel Embiid was on a tear in this game. Jojo seems to always be on a tear offensively these days, and the Sixers did well to support him.
Shake Milton, Seth Curry, Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle all played their roles. The Hawks were supposed to have the better perimeter players in this series, so the Sixers needed to muster every ounce of production they could from their own swingmen.
Ultimately, Jojo’s interior dominance proved to be too much for the Hawks, who let Game 2 go in the 4th. Embiid, who’s still nursing himself through a partial meniscus tear, is the first Sixer with a 40-point game in playoff basketball since 2003.
NBA fans roast Charles Barkley for saying Joel Embiid won’t be a factor vs Hawks
It seems the Inside crew has appointed Chuck as their resident contrarian on the panel. There seems to be little other explanation for how often Chuck gives us outlandish takes like this. Before tipoff tonight, Chuck was of the opinion that Jojo and Capela could play to a draw this series.
“Joel Embiid doesn’t matter in this series. He had 39 and they lost.”
“The Hawks have better perimeter players”
– Charles Barkley on @NBAonTNT
Is he right? #HereTheyCome
— Mike Gill (@MikeGillShow) June 8, 2021
As expected, the Internet gave us a resounding answer with regard’s to Chuck’s scalding hot take. The answers seemed to grow more and more against Chuck’s argument as Jojo put together yet another playoff jewel for Philly.
Charles Barkley lowkey cooking Shaq and Kenny right now
— iconic (@TheMrIconic) June 8, 2021
“Joel Embiid doesn’t matter in this series” Charles Barkley
— Sixers Company (@sixerscompany) June 8, 2021
Is Charles Barkley….actually speaking facts?! 😭
— lauren (@GoAheadLo) June 8, 2021
Charles Barkley used to be a decent analyst. His evolution into a Hot Take Artist has been pretty dramatic.
— Steve Moore (@Smoore1117) June 8, 2021
Charles Barkley on @NBAonTNT– “Joel Embiid doesn’t matter this series.”
Kenny: pic.twitter.com/srURgfpcR4
— Andrew (@andrewdifalco13) June 8, 2021
“jOEL eMBIID wON’T bE a fACTOR tHIS sERIES.” – Charles Barkley. pic.twitter.com/BfEuuIVMn4
— Section 215 (@Sec215) June 9, 2021
Perhaps Chuck will treat NBA fans’ opinions with his usual disdain. It still does beg the question of why he is so consistently wrong all over the years.
Even with only the weapon of foresight, one could clearly see that the Blazers wouldn’t be Western Conference champions this season, for example. Only time might give us the correct answer to this, I’m afraid.