Charles Barkley called out Joel Embiid for his tough Olympics campaign and says he needs to use it as a learning experience.
Embiid has averaged 9.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on 42.1 percent shooting in the Olympics so far, was benched in the second half against Serbia and put up a DNP against South Sudan.
Barkley believes Embiid needs to use his disappointing Olympic experience as fuel to make some changes come the next NBA season.
“I hope this wakes up [call] for Joel, this Olympic event,” Barkley said on Paul George’s podcast. “He didn’t play well, and I hope, ‘Yo, man, I’ve got to be in better shape. … I have to be healthy, because if we don’t win the title or make it to the playoffs, it will be because of me.’”
Barkley added that he hopes Embiid’s Olympic campaign will open his mind to taking over from 76ers teammates Paul George and Tyrese Maxey at times.
“He’s got to be like, ‘Okay, it’s Paul’s night. Okay, of course [Maxey]at night. What do I do if I don’t get the ball?’”
George himself said he knows what it’s like to make big changes to Team USA and that he told Embiid to keep an open mind in Paris.
“Just try to find a way to stay committed and challenge yourself in a different way than you would in the NBA,” George recalled telling Embiid. “We had a good discussion about that.”
Embiid and Team USA will return to action on Tuesday when they face Brazil in the quarterfinals.
READ MORE: Joel Embiid Gets Slammed By French Fans At Team USA Opener
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