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Philadelphia 76ers: Expect a response for Mike Muscala from Joel Embiid

By Larry Mendte

PHILADELPHIA,PA - NOVEMBER 1 : Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks goes up for the layup against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 25,2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - NOVEMBER 1 : Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks goes up for the layup against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 25,2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After bad-mouthing the Philadelphia 76ers and its star player Joel Embiid, Mike Muscala should expect a response from Embiid, both on Twitter and at practice.

Philadelphia 76ers acquisition Mike Muscala is going to have some explaining to do for his new teammates and especially Sixers’ star Joel Embiid.

NBC Sports Philadelphia reports that Muscala did not have kind things to say about the team or Embiid during an appearance on the podcast Road Trippin’ last season.

Muscala said, “I don’t like the Sixers. I don’t like them. I just feel like they talk a lot of s**t, especially Embiid. I understand there’s going to be some trash talking. But I feel like – I don’t know. Sometimes I just – I respect players that just let their play do the talking. And I think sometimes, it just gets excessive, especially with Embiid.”

Many sports sites are cutting off the quote at that point to sew discontent, but the former Atlanta Hawks center went on to soften his criticism of Embiid.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing for the league,” Muscala went on to say. “I think it’s entertaining, and I think people can feed off of that. In a weird way, I respect him for being [able] to do that, because it takes a lot of guts and confidence at the same time.”

It is rare for Embiid to not immediately respond to even mild taunting. So far though, his Twitter feed has been silent about Muscala’s comments.

In a three-team trade, the 76ers sent forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Oklahoma City Thunder and guard Justin Anderson to the Atlanta Hawks for Muscala.

The 6’11″ Muscala can play center and power forward, but with the acquisition of Wilson Chandler to back up starting power forward Dario Saric, along with the trade of Richaun Holmes, it looks like Muscala will be the first off the bench to substitute for Embiid.

The 27-year-old Muscala has been primarily a bench player for the Hawks, but is coming off his best year. He averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 20 minutes a game. He is also an excellent 3-point shooter and can stretch the floor. His career average from behind the arc is 37.8 percent.

His best game last season was a 24-point performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Embiid and Muscala played against each other only once last season, on November 1 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Embiid had 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Muscala started a center and had two points and four rebounds.

The two will go at it when camp begins and you can be certain that Embiid will make a statement in practice — much like he did in a recent pickup game against Orlando Magic 2018 first round draft pick Mohamed Bamba. After powering his way to a dunk over the rookie, Embiid yelled, “Welcome to the f-ing league!”

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You can bet Muscala will get a similar welcome in the very first scrimmage.