Shannon Sharpe has defended the reporter at the center of a row with Joel Embiid – after the Philadelphia 76ers star allegedly pushed the journalist over an article which mentioned the NBA ace’s late brother.

Tensions spilled over after Philadelphia Inquirer staffer Marcus Hayes was critical of the player due to his absence from action due to injury. The reporter made mention to Embiid’s sibling Arthur – who died in 2014 – with the piece now having been edited to remove the reference.

Taking issue with the contents of the article, the 76ers center was involved in a heated exchange with Hayes as he allegedly pushed the reporter the team’s locker room following a 124-107 defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies, as per ESPN.

Hayes had issued an apology on social media after the article in question was published, as he admitted he could understand why the piece had received backlash. Taking to X on October 23, Hayes confirmed that a re-write of the article had taken place, saying: “So, I rewrote the lede to my column and replaced the picture. I can see why so many people were upset about it. Sorry about that. Thanks for all of the constructive criticism.”

Now, ‘Nightcap’ host Sharpe has reflected on the fallout from the skirmish involving Embiid as he admitted that he felt the latter had overreacted in the moment. Speaking to co-star Chad Johnson, he said: “There’s a reason why you have reporters because it’s about stories.

“That’s why you have people that comment on the games. They’re not just saying Xs and Os; it’s a storyline. Sports is about stories. He didn’t disparage his brother; he didn’t disparage his son. Joel said, ‘I want to leave a legacy.’ OK, the legacy is, when people think of Joel Embiid, he named his son after his brother.”

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Nightcap host Shannon Sharpe has reflected on the alleged altercation between Joel Embiid and a reporter

Nightcap host Shannon Sharpe has reflected on the alleged altercation between Joel Embiid and a reporter ( 

Image:

Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Addressing whether he felt the Philadelphia superstar had possibly been too sensitive when it came to Hayes’ remarks, he continued: “Ocho, he said the man wants to leave a legacy. By him not being there…all he did was provide context.

“The reason why Joel Embiid named his son Arthur, he named his son after his little brother, who tragically died. So (Hayes) is providing context for why Joel said it’s so important for him to leave a legacy. And he wants to be remembered for something and why he named his son after his brother.

“I don’t take it as being insensitive. That’s Joel; how he took it…I can’t tell somebody how they should react in that moment. I think the thing is for me, being in the media and having a little better understanding on this side, because a lot of times we say things and we think it’s innocent. And to us, it is. But to the individual.”

Sharpe added: “But I think it had more to do with the criticism about Joel Embiid constantly missing games, Joel Embiid constantly being out of shape. I think that rubbed Joel Embiid the wrong way.”