Joel Embiid Accused Of 'Cowardly' Postgame Press Conference Move

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid is taking heat for what some in the media are calling a "cowardly" postgame press conference move.

The Sixers fell to the Knicks in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. Philadelphia was swept by the Knicks in the second round. Embiid continues to be the only MVP in league history to not reach a Conference Finals.

But following the 4-0 series sweep, Embiid addressed the ruthless Philadelphia media, with his young son on his lap. Some believe that Embiid was essentially using his young, cute son as a "shield" from the tough questions.

Embiid takes these losses hard. Back in 2019, he was distraught over Philadelphia's loss to Toronto. Embiid was seeing crying in his then-girlfriend's arms.

But bringing your young child to a press conference, especially following a loss, can be a controversial move.

Embiid has been accused of not meeting the moment.

ESPN host rips Embiid for his press conference move

ESPN host Chris Canty teed off on Embiid.

"He's using his son as a human shield for criticism. It's hard for the reporters to ask the hard-hitting questions when you have that ball of cuteness sitting in Joel Embiid's lap," Canty told his ESPN Radio co-hosts, Evan Cohen and Michelle Smallmon. "I can't really get into it with Joel Embiid with his son right there.

"I hate that! From a leadership standpoint, own the moment, which is your team was absolutely embarrassing, face the firing squad that is the Philadelphia media and let them ask all of the tough questions that they need to ask and take all of those slings and arrows and be the face of the failure that the Sixers experienced this year."

Embiid and the Sixers are now going home, while New York has advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 10:51 AM.