Former 76ers Teammate Defends Joel Embiid's Controversial Decision

Joel Embiid won a gold medal at the Olympics while representing Team USA. In the process, he also justified his decision to pick the United States over France, who they defeated in the final in Paris.

Embiid has both French and American citizenship, and with the Olympics being held in Paris, many had hoped that he would choose to represent France.

When he did not, it upset a large section of the French fans. As a result, Embiid was on the receiving end of boos from the home crowd throughout the Olympic games.

It did not seem to faze Embiid though. The former MVP is used to the spotlight that comes with being one of the top players in the NBA.

What it did do is make for an interesting storyline throughout the competition, with Embiid coming out on top by winning gold in the end, and that too against France. Reads like a Hollywood script.

Nicolas Batum, one of Embiid's former teammates in Philadelphia, was part of the French team that came up short against Team USA in the final.

Batum did not seem bothered by his former teammate's decision to choose Team USA over France. As reported by The Athletic before the final, the 35-year-old veteran said: "I don’t care now.

"He took the best decision for him. I’m happy for him. We’ve still got a good team. It’s nothing. It’s just basketball. He took the decision, and I got traded three weeks after (to his team), and we were best friends (during the season)."

Batum even pointed out how Embiid was used to the boos, as he said: "Hey, I played with him in the (Madison Square) Garden.

“He’s used to it."

Batum's stint in Philadelphia was short but he seemed to have a good relationship with Embiid. The veteran joined the 76ers in November of last year and proved to be an important part of the team. He left this summer though and has returned to the Los Angeles Clippers.