FIBA refs hilariously had no interest in Joel Embiid’s attempt at drawing a foul call on Nikola Jokić

This isn’t the NBA anymore.

On paper, the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team should cruise through the Summer Games in Paris. But the games aren’t played on paper, and the international game is decidedly different from the NBA. That includes how the games are officiated.

That’s part of the adjustment that comes with these pre-Olympic showcase exhibitions for the USABMNT. And for Joel Embiid, the officiating will take some getting used to.

Last season, Embiid averaged 11.6 free-throw attempts per game, which would have put him atop the NBA if he qualified statistically. And to Embiid’s credit, he knows how to work NBA officiating in his own favor. That didn’t exactly work in Wednesday’s showcase matchup with Serbia as Embiid tried to get a soft foul called on Nikola Jokić. FIBA refs were having none of it.

Rather than going up towards the basket, Embiid looked to initiate contact with Jokić before moving into his actual shot attempt.

The ref was not falling for that at all. He just stood there as Embiid essentially wasted a scoring opportunity.

Fans actually enjoyed seeing how FIBA refs didn’t fall for the foul baiting.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=11490]