In the right corner, 2m13 and 127 kilos, Joel Embiid. In the left corner, 1m83 and 81 kilos, Jose Alvarado. The first is an NBA superstar, the second a simple rookie, who had just lived a waking dream at Madison Square Garden.
However, the two men had a small conversation during the meeting between the Sixers and the Pelicans this week. Embiid pushed Garrett Temple, which did not please Alvarado, who went to say a few words to him.
Referees gave both players a technical foul and it was learned that the Philadelphia All-Star had settled the score for the New Orleans player.
“I liked his energy. He plays hard”, said the Cameroonian for ESPN. “Even after taking the technical fault, he did not back down and I respect that. It was clean trash talking, with two guys on a field. After the match, I went to see him to tell him to keep fighting. As for the fine, it’s the least I can do because he took the technical foul because of me and he earns less than other players in the league. It was for me, and I don’t want him to lose money when he needs it. “
Embiid earns per game what Alvarado earns in a season
The Philadelphia star will not even see the difference in his bank account since it is Alvarado’s first technical foul this season, and therefore of his career. It will thus cost him 2000 dollars, he who receives 31.6 million dollars this season.
On the other hand, Alvarado is paid $462,000 this year, and that’s almost what Embiid receives in a game on average…
“We spoke during the match, it was only love and respect”, reacted the playmaker of the Pelicans. “It was in the heat of the moment, there was nothing personal. Two players playing basketball, that’s all. After the technical foul, on the free throw line, he told me to continue like this, to work again. “
