Joel Embiid's brilliant tweet tweaks Trump where it hurts after NBA All-Star snub

Nice rebound.
 By 
Sam Laird
 on 
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Joel Embiid is many things. He's a phenomenal basketball player, a quality quote, a physical marvel and, as most NBA fans know by know, hilarious on social media.

But this one-liner from Thursday may be his finest internet moment yet.

Embiid was in contention for a reserve spot on the NBA All-Star team, which is selected by the league's coaches. Reserves were announced Thursday. But Embiid -- despite having a stellar season for the Philadelphia 76ers -- wasn't on the list. (The snub may have even cost the Philly big man a date with his famous crush, but more on that in a minute.)

Despite not being selected by coaches, Embiid was among the top choices in a fan vote -- which he used to tee up this topical tweet.

Sound familiar? Donald Trump, it's been reported, is somewhat tormented by his popular vote loss to Hillary Clinton.

A witty reply to Embiid from ESPN writer Mina Kimes pretty much sums up the internet's reaction.

This isn't Embiid's first time tweaking Trump, though.

As the Republican candidate proceeded to his surprise presidential election win in November, Embiid posted a tweet that America was "tanking" in the way a sports team would purposely give up on its season.

Embiid also joked that Trump would deport Australian teammate Ben Simmons.

Now about that would-be date

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Way back in 2014, Embiid related a mini-tragedy to fans via Twitter. He said he was trying to strike up an amorous relationship with "this famous girl," who rebuffed him. The "famous girl," Embiid said, told him to "come back when you're All-Star."

Thus, making the All-Star team this season in his first real chance as a candidate became doubly important for Embiid. Speculation has said the celebrity "CRUSH" is Rihanna.

But Embiid was snubbed Thursday, a blow one assumes was doubly defeating with both romance and prestige on the line.

We'd say he rebounded well with his comedic tweet. And, hey -- there's always next year become and All-Star and win that date.

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Sam Laird

Sam Laird is Mashable's Senior Sports Reporter. He covers the wide, weird world of sports from all angles -- as well as occasional other topics -- from Mashable's San Francisco bureau. Before joining Mashable in November 2011, his freelance work appeared in publications including the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Slam, and East Bay Express. Sam is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz, and basketball and burritos take up most of his spare time. Follow him on Twitter @samcmlaird.

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