“I don’t care about Jokic”

LAS VEGAS – The question was simple. The answer was blunt.

I asked Team USA center Joel Embiid if he’s looking forward to facing Serbia’s Nikola Jokic in the opening game of the Olympic group stage on July 28.

“I don’t care about Jokic,” Embiid said after a spirited scrimmage Wednesday in UNLV’s practice gym. “I’m playing for my national team.”

wait. What? Activate the Nuggets Nation group chat. Let’s head over to Spear Boulevard and put up some Troel Embiid signs. Or maybe even pick up some missing persons’ milk cartons in their honor.

Embiid remains an easy target for Nuggets fans. He has not played in Denver since 2019. When he sat out due to knee pain in January, he made a little boy cry. The kid’s birthday present was a flight from California to Ball Arena to see his favorite player. Instead, he got excessive concessions and weak napkins to wipe his tears.

When Embiid reacted like he did Wednesday, my knee-jerk reaction was to make him burn like everything else in the 117-degree desert heat. Put Embiid anywhere in the country, and he’s Wilt Chamberlain with better range. Put him in Denver, and he’s Kris Bryant – a ghost in street clothes.

But this is about the Olympics. It’s more “we” than “I.” And while Embiid made Nuggets fans feel bad, their reaction wasn’t wrong. Disturbing. Annoying. But not wrong.

While he should care about Jokic — and he better be, because there are no escape routes in France — Embiid’s priorities are more macro than micro. And that’s perfect for the first game three weeks away.

“It’s all about focusing on ourselves and trying to make sure everybody is on the same page,” Embiid said. “When we get there, we don’t know what to focus on. But right now it’s about getting better.”

the race is on. When it comes to Team USA and the Olympics, there’s no second place. There are no Capri Suns, orange slices or flaky croissants worth the effort. There is a gold medal. Nothing else. The Americans have won four times in a row.

Watching Team USA practice against the U.S. Select Team, it’s clear that the red, white and blue are a work in progress. Incoming Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, only 17 years old, was the best player on the floor during the media viewing period. He drained 3s, lined up defenders on skates and delivered a one-handed put-back on a missed jump shot that included everything but an exclamation point.

This goes back to what Embiid was saying. Team USA needs representatives together. No one cares that players only have 40 days to microwave chemistry while also showing humility and character. Egos should be checked like charter baggage.

“I think our country will be very proud of our team,” said Team USA coach Steve Kerr.

In 1992, there was The Dream Team, led by Michael Jordan. In 2008, the Redeem team was led by Kobe Bryant. In 2024, if the Americans aren’t standing on the highest podium, the meme team will be. This is the reality when a team consists of 12 potential Hall of Famers.

“This is the standard of USA Basketball. This is never going to change. It’s an honor and a privilege to wear this jersey, and I don’t think any of us would have it any other way,” Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “I think we all welcome the pressure.”

There’s a sense of urgency that wasn’t necessary 32 years ago when Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley and Larry Bird roamed Barcelona like the Beatles. The days of playing basketball, defeating a weaker opponent, and then signing autographs on the court are gone.

Remember, the Americans lost their first game at the Tokyo Games in 2020, spent days avoiding elimination and barely won the gold medal with a nervy 87-82 win over France.

Five players return from that team, including Kevin Durant and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, a newly minted champion. It’s a reminder that Embiid’s indifference toward Jokic — as silly as it may be — may serve a purpose.