Joel Embiid's love for a certain wrestling move is costing him a small fortune! Yes, we're talking about the D-Generation X crotch chop, a gesture that's landed the Philadelphia 76ers superstar in hot water (and significantly lighter in the wallet) with the NBA.
As someone who's spent over a decade covering professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, I, Manolo Has Pizzazz, have seen firsthand how wrestling often bleeds into other areas of pop culture. Usually, it's good for a laugh. But the NBA, apparently, isn't laughing.
Embiid was recently slapped with a hefty $50,000 fine for unleashing the infamous D-X crotch chop during a game. This wasn't a one-time slip-up; it's a recurring theme. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about one isolated incident, it's about a pattern of behavior that the NBA clearly deems inappropriate.
The latest fine stemmed from an incident on October 31st. Embiid, after being fouled and sinking the shot, decided to celebrate in true "degenerate" fashion, as D-X would say. But here's where it gets controversial... Is it really that offensive? Or is the NBA being overly sensitive?
The NBA, channeling its inner Sargent Slaughter, released a stern statement about the fine, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a certain standard of conduct. Embiid, never one to back down from a challenge, responded in true D-X style, essentially saying, "If I'm getting fined for this, then the refs should be fined for their 'blocking foul' gestures!" He clearly feels there's a double standard. Is he right?
To illustrate Embiid's point, consider the arm movements referees use to signal a blocking foul. Some might argue there's a visual similarity. See for yourself! (Imagine a video insert here showing a ref signaling a blocking foul).
But Embiid's history with the crotch chop runs deep. This latest fine brings his total D-X celebration penalty to a staggering $185,000! That includes $75,000 in 2024, $35,000 in 2023, and $25,000 in 2023. That's a lot of money for a celebration, right?
And the story doesn't end there. The masterminds behind D-X themselves, Triple H and Shawn Michaels, have taken notice. They've even extended invitations to Embiid to perform the crotch chop in WWE and NXT, where he wouldn't face any financial repercussions! Think about that: getting paid to do what he's being fined for in the NBA.
Embiid has openly expressed his admiration for Triple H and D-X, stating, "There’s no secret that Triple H is my guy. Obviously, DX, when I used to watch wrestling, those were my guys. Any time I get the chance… I just felt like it was a good and-1. I got the ball, I didn’t even see the rim, and I felt like it was deserving of a good celebration.”
So, what's the takeaway? Is Embiid being unfairly targeted? Is the NBA right to uphold its standards, even if it means stifling player expression? Or is this all just a bit of harmless fun that's being blown out of proportion? If you're not a fan of Joel Embiid's crotch chops, then, well, you know the rest! Let us know what you think in the comments. Do you think the NBA is being too strict, or is Embiid crossing the line? We want to hear your opinions!
