Paul George Advised Joel Embiid On How To Succeed For Team USA In The Olympics

Paul George recently shared insights on his "Podcast P" show about the advice he gave to his Philadelphia 76ers teammate, Joel Embiid, who is representing Team USA in the 2024 Olympics. George emphasized the different dynamics that come with playing for Team USA, especially given the abundance of talent on the floor.

"I had a conversation with him not too long ago and it was more, so just it's a different dynamic when you play Team USA... It's a little bit of a deferring thing that, I think he's going through because there's so much talent on the floor."

"But one thing that I gave him was just like you know, when I played on that 2016 team, my mindset was more so geared towards, I'mma pick dudes up 94 feet like, I'mma pressure the hell out of whoever I'm guarding."

"I don't do that in the NBA but it was just you know, I can't do all the things, I usually do in the NBA but I got the energy now to do it here so that was just kind of my conversation to him."

"Like man just try to find a way to stay engaged and challenge yourself in a different way, than you would do in the NBA, so we had a good talk about that." (18:49)

George recounted his conversation with Embiid, highlighting the importance of adjusting to the team-oriented style of play that is characteristic of the USA basketball team. He acknowledged that Embiid might be experiencing some level of deferral due to the high level of talent around him, which can be a challenging adjustment for a player used to being the focal point of their NBA team.

Drawing from his own experience on the 2016 Olympic team, George advised Embiid to focus on aspects of his game that he doesn't typically emphasize in the NBA.

George shared that during his time with Team USA , he adopted a mindset geared toward intense defensive pressure, picking up opponents full-court, which he wouldn't normally do in the NBA. This approach allowed him to stay engaged and contribute in a different but impactful way.

George encouraged Embiid to find similar ways to challenge himself and stay involved in the game. By taking on roles and responsibilities that differ from his usual NBA duties, Embiid can effectively contribute to the team's success while also benefiting from the experience.

Embiid's performance in the Olympics has seen some ups and downs. In two games, he has averaged 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, though he didn't play in the match against South Sudan. In the exhibition showcase leading up to the Olympics, he averaged 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over five games.

While Embiid has faced some struggles, it is evident that he is gradually settling into his role within Team USA. As he continues to adapt and implement George's advice, he is likely to become an increasingly integral part of the team's efforts in the Olympics.

Related: Joel Embiid Taunts French Fans As They Boo Him, Then Airballs Half-Court Shot

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