Joel Embiid took his usual seat at the postgame podium Sunday afternoon, the cameras rolled, and the questions started.
This time, he was accompanied by his 5-year-old son, Arthur, who sat on his lap. The Philadelphia 76ers had just been swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks after a 144-114 Game 4 blowout at home.
Why the Sports Media Criticized Joel Embiid’s Postgame Press Conference
Embiid was the face of the franchise but was also the face of another second-round exit. While some were touched by his son’s presence, many in the media did not appreciate it.
Criticism flew from many directions, with Super Bowl champion Chris Canty taking charge.
Canty went off on ESPN Radio’s “Unsportsmanlike” on Monday morning. Without dancing around the situation, he said, “He uses his son as a human shield for criticism. It’s hard for reporters to ask hard-hitting questions when you have that ball of cuteness sitting in Joel Embiid’s lap…”
“From a leadership standpoint, own the moment, which is, your team is absolutely embarrassing, face the firing squad… and let them ask all of the tough questions that they need to ask,” Canty added.
OWN THE MOMENT.
After the game, Joel Embiid had his postgame presser… and @ChrisCanty99 did NOT like that Embiid used his son as a shield against criticism. https://t.co/Pe2UXSjUXy pic.twitter.com/F5TPbkMHEi
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE (@UnSportsESPN) May 11, 2026
Nick Wright took the same lane on Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First.”
Framing it as a league-wide issue rather than something specific to Embiid, Wright said,
“Bringing children to press conferences after losses should not be allowed. And, I think Joel Embiid is obviously an awesome family man and a great dad… whether intentional or not, the ultimate effect is that your kid is shielding you from what could be tough or uncomfortable questions; that is the point of those press conferences.”
Nick Wright: “Bringing children to press conferences after losses should not be allowed” pic.twitter.com/jXzb0RzY07
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 11, 2026
Wright’s point was that, after season-ending losses, NBA stars should be ready to face tough criticism rather than have kids on their laps.
Reactions started to pour in on X, in agreement with Canty and Wright.
One user cosigned Wright’s take with one line: “He’s correct, it’s a cornball move.”
He’s correct, it’s a cornball move https://t.co/fzmRQFTG8g
— GoBlueHasbi (@GoBlueHasbulla) May 12, 2026
Ben Lyons went further: “10000% correct been saying it for years.”
10000% correct been saying it for years 🎯 @getnickwright
— Ben Lyons (@iamBenLyons) May 11, 2026
Meanwhile, one user wanted a league-wide rule: “Bringing kids to press conferences shouldn’t be allowed period. Its bad enough this league is becoming unprofessional in every other aspect.”
bringing kids to press conferences shouldn’t be allowed period. Its bad enough this league is becoming unprofessional in every other aspect
— The Sporting Page (@sportingpage) May 12, 2026
Movie reviewer Kal-El Atreides pushed back mildly: “I kind of disagree but I do see what Nick’s point is and won’t summarily dismiss it out of hand.”
I kind of disagree but I do see what Nick’s point is and won’t summarily dismiss it out of hand https://t.co/zFaMET353Q
— Kal-El Atreides 💍 (@Superfan_K) May 11, 2026
Another user defended Embiid, stating, “Athletes work and travel constantly. They more than likely don’t see their family as much as they would prefer. Wanting to police family time for the sake of journalism is nonsense. Your question shouldn’t hinge upon whether or not a toddler is there.”
Athletes work and travel constantly. They more than likely don’t see their family as much as they would prefer.
Wanting to police family time for the sake of journalism is nonsense. Your question shouldn’t hinge upon whether or not a toddler is there. https://t.co/s4LWgCB54c
— AJ Iezzi (@AJ_Iez) May 11, 2026
The presser itself wasn’t a deflection in tone. Embiid talked about legacy, about how he wants to be remembered, about the chants he hears on the road that his son now picks up on.
“We go on the road, they’re chanting. I hate that he hears that,” Embiid said. “But he has to understand that that’s the way the world is, and you’ve just got to live and understand that there’s going to be negativity, there’s going to be positivity. You’ve got to go through it and it’s okay.”
When asked about his legacy, the former MVP turned philosophical. “I don’t care. This beautiful young man, you guys might have taken away my chance to put my daughter to sleep. My wife is gonna be extremely mad at me. So, you know, that’s all I care about. I got my family, I got my kids. Hopefully, I get more. I got my mom, my dad.”
Embiid played through a right hip issue, a sprained ankle, and complications from his April 9 appendectomy this postseason. He averaged 24 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across all his playoff games, and dropped 24 on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting in the season-ending Game 4 loss to the Knicks.
