Nick Wright calls for end to superstars bringing children to press conference after playoff losses

Credit: NBA; FS1

Joel Embiid has included his son, Arthur, in many of the biggest moments of his NBA career, including the postgame press conference after Sunday’s Game 4 home loss to the New York Knicks.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ star took the podium after the sweep and fielded questions about another difficult, injury-riddled season and disappointing playoff loss, all while the boy sat with him. Given Philly’s uninspired performance and the rumors of discontentment flooding out of the organization after the loss, some in the media argued Embiid intentionally brought his son with him to avoid run-ins with reporters.

Later Monday on FS1’s First Things First, host Nick Wright went a step further, making the case that athletes should be restricted from bringing their children to these press conferences after losses.

“Bringing children to press conferences after losses should not be allowed,” he said.

“And I think Joel Embiid is obviously a great family man and an awesome dad … it is, whether intentional or not, the ultimate effect is your kid is shielding you from what could tough or uncomfortable questions. That is the point of those press conferences.”

Wright noted that he supports the NBA’s tilt toward positivity around fatherhood and family compared with the regressive ideas of masculinity that athletes or media sometimes peddle. However, he said that other recent examples of stars like Steph Curry or Jayson Tatum’s children appearing with them often came in victory.