In a spectacle that blended sports with showmanship, Team USA big man Joel Embiid brought out his iconic DX chop celebration during their quarterfinal win against Brazil at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This move, famously associated with the WWE tag team D-Generation X, sent the crowd into a frenzy and drew reactions from notable figures like U.S. women’s team member A’ja Wilson and hip-hop superstar Snoop Dogg, who were courtside for the game.
The Philadelphia 76ers superstar executed his signature move late in the second quarter after completing an and-1 play. The crowd erupted as Embiid’s celebratory chop, usually a cause for fines in the NBA, went unpunished by the Olympic officials. In stark contrast, Embiid has been fined twice for a total of $60,000 by the NBA for performing the same celebration during league games.
Reactions from the Crowd:
A’ja Wilson and Snoop Dogg were among those who couldn’t contain their amusement at Embiid’s antics. Their reactions were captured in a viral photo shared by USA Basketball on its X (formerly Twitter) page, highlighting the infectious energy Embiid brought to the court.
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📺 USA Network + Peacock
🇺🇸 #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/Z6nOvKcNgM
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 6, 2024
Embiid’s Explanation:
Joel Embiid addressed the celebration after the game, emphasizing that his intention was purely to have fun. Speaking to ESPN, he said:
“Oh no, they still might find a way (to fine me), but that felt good. It’s good to have fun, too, because at the end of the day, you got to take something out of this experience.”
Ready to put on a show. 🍿
📺 USA Network + Peacock
🇺🇸 #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/65wRyxDBA5
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 6, 2024
Embiid’s playful taunt was part of a dominant performance by Team USA, who cruised to a 122-87 victory over Brazil. Embiid contributed significantly, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds in just 13 minutes of play.
Star-Studded Performance:
Devin Booker led the scoring for Team USA with 18 points, followed closely by Anthony Edwards with 17. Other notable contributions included Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who scored 13 and 12 points respectively, and Kevin Durant, who added 11 points. Durant’s performance was particularly historic as he became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. Olympic basketball history, surpassing both men and women with a total of 494 points.
Team USA‘s victory sets up a high-stakes semifinal clash against reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia on August 8. The game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams boasting impressive rosters and a burning desire to advance to the finals.
Joel Embiid’s DX chop celebration at the Olympics is a perfect example of how sports personalities blend entertainment and athletic prowess. While some may see it as merely a taunt, it’s clear that Joel Embiid uses such moments to engage with fans and inject a sense of fun into the game. This attitude is a refreshing departure from the often rigid and highly scrutinized conduct expected in professional sports.
However, Embiid’s actions also raise questions about consistency in officiating. While the NBA has penalized him for the same move, the Olympic officials chose to let it slide. This discrepancy underscores the broader conversation about how celebrations and expressions of personality are regulated in different leagues and tournaments.
Embiid’s performance and subsequent celebration also highlight the cultural crossover between sports and entertainment, a domain where figures like Snoop Dogg have a significant presence. The reactions from Wilson and Snoop Dogg further cement the idea that such moments transcend the sport itself, becoming a part of the broader entertainment landscape.
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