Charles Barkley rips Joel Embiid for not being 'in better shape'

In Team USA's three games thus far at the Paris Olympics, Joel Embiid is averaging 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 turnovers in two appearances. Those aren't exactly the numbers USAB hoped from Embiid when it recruited him last October when the Sixers star was eligible to represent as many as three countries at the Games. 

Charles Barkley believes Embiid has let Team USA down with his subpar physical condition and that his poor play could cost the country a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. The Hall of Famer took it a step further by blaming the Sixers' postseason woes — the franchise hasn't made the conference finals in decades — on Embiid's inability to stay in shape late into an NBA season.

"I hope this is a wake-up for Joel, this Olympic experience," Barkley told "Podcast P" with Paul George. "He has not played well, and I'm hoping he's like, 'I got to get in better shape.' Because me, personally, I think that's one of the reasons he's always injured. I don't think he's in good enough shape...This should be a wake up call for him, like, 'you know what? I got to get in better shape. I got to get healthy. Because if we don't win the championship, or go deep in the playoffs, it's going to be because of me.' He keeps getting hurt, and he's got to take responsibility for that." 

Barkley — who captured two gold medals with Team USA in 1992 and 1996 — added that Embiid should feel "a little bit embarrassed" by his performances in the Paris Olympics. In response, George defended his new Sixers teammate by acknowledging that players have to deal with "a different dynamic" while representing Team USA as opposed to being stars on their NBA franchises. 

Team USA will face Brazil in the Olympic quarterfinal on Tuesday. Embiid is expected to remain in the starting lineup, per insider Shaun Powell, after he scored 15 points in the win over Puerto Rico. Embiid was earlier benched in favor of Anthony Davis in the game against South Sudan.