After the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a 144-114 loss to sweep them out of the playoffs, Joel Embiid described the season as a “success” — a take that stirred debate. But for FS1 analyst Nick Wright, the bigger issue was Embiid bringing his son Arthur to the postgame press conference. Social media quickly rallied behind the NBA star, pushing back against the criticism.
“Bringing children to press conferences after losses should not be allowed,” Wright said on his show. “I think Joel Embiid is obviously an awesome family man and a great dad. When we first saw Steph’s daughter Riley, it was adorable because they were winning. But when a player brings a child after a loss, whether intentional or not, the kid essentially shields him from tougher, more uncomfortable questions. That defeats the purpose of those press conferences.”
Wright’s comments echo long-running critiques from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Barkley previously told USA Today Sports, “Reporters are there trying to do their job. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but I’d prefer players not bring their kids.” But unlike those past concerns, this time the public sentiment strongly favors Embiid.
Fans argue that NBA players spend the majority of the season on the road, missing precious moments with their children. Embiid, for instance, missed watching his son lose his first tooth because of the playoff schedule. Allowing kids to share in the moment — especially during high-stakes playoffs — is seen as a heartwarming balance to the intense pressure.
One fan tweeted, “Let the man be a dad. These guys sacrifice enough time with their families. A few minutes with his son at the podium isn’t hurting anyone.” Another added, “Nick Wright is just jealous he’s not winning MVP or getting that dad time.”
The NBA has no official policy prohibiting players from bringing children to postgame podium interviews, and the trend — popularized by Stephen Curry’s daughter Riley in 2015 — continues to be widely embraced by players and fans alike.