Joel Embiid receives 3 game suspension for shoving columnist

Joel Embiid will now wait another three games to make his season debut.

After Embiid shoved Philadelphia Inquirier‘s Marcus Hayes following an argument in the Sixers’ locker room on Saturday night, he has received a three suspension from the NBA.

“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” the NBA said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. We understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.”

Embiid has more suspensions this season than minutes played. He has missed all six games for the Sixers this season. They are 1-5.

The suspension will begin with the next NBA regular season game for which he is eligible and able to play. So once he is activated, the suspension will begin. I would assume the Sixers will activate him prior to their game against the Clippers on Wednesday.

Hayes wrote a column for the Inquirer a few weeks ago, making some heartless comments on Embiid’s deceased younger brother and his son, both named Arthur, setting it up to question Embiid’s professionalism and effort.

This part of the story has since been removed and was not printed.

After the game on Saturday night in the locker room, Embiid approached Hayes as the media was heading to Tyrese Maxey‘s locker. After shouting at Hayes during an exchange of words, Embiid shoved him. The two were then separated. 

“You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player. Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth…don’t talk about my family, don’t bring them into this,” Embiid reportedly said to Hayes.

“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to… live with the consequences.”

So, here is my column:

Does Hayes deserve to get pushback on his column? Absolutely. You never, ever, involve family in the workplace or bring it up in any sort of media especially when you are criticizing. Particularly in this case, with how much Embiid’s son means to him, and his brother, who tragically passed a few years ago?

Hayes’ professionalism is what should be in question, especially when this is not the first time he has written something like this and received backlash from athletes on his work.

Now, should Embiid have put his hands on Hayes, definitely not. Embiid had all rights to go at him and speak his mind, but in no circumstances should he have put his hands on him. That cannot happen.

The column by Hayes is pretty heartless. Embiid gets the punishment. Hayes does not. Should Hayes get some sort of penalty? Yeah. If Embiid has to face a consequence for his actions, Hayes should too.

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