Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid drew criticism after bringing his young son to a postgame press conference following a playoff loss, sparking a strong backlash from fans on social media.
Fox Sports commentator Nick Wright criticized the move, stating on his show that “bringing a child to a press conference after a loss should not be allowed.” While acknowledging Embiid is a great father, Wright argued that the presence of a child could shield the star from tough questions from reporters. He cited Stephen Curry’s daughter Riley as an example, noting that when Curry brought her to press conferences, it was during a winning streak and the atmosphere was celebratory.
Wright is not the first to raise this concern. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst previously called for an end to the practice, and NBA legend Charles Barkley told USA Today Sports 11 years ago that he prefers players not bring children to the podium, saying “reporters are working.”
The NBA currently has no official policy prohibiting players from having their children at postgame press conferences. Fans argue that due to the demanding travel schedule and frequent games on major holidays, players have limited time with their families, and sharing the moment with their children is natural. Some recalled how Embiid’s son, Arthur, famously interrupted his father’s live national TV interview after a Game 7 win in the Eastern Conference semifinals to excitedly show off his missing tooth. Social media has been overwhelmingly supportive of Embiid in response to Wright’s criticism.