According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid is known as “The Great Emperor” in China, a nickname reminiscent of LeBron James' nickname in China, “The Little Emperor.”
One place Twitter and Instagram can't help boost a brand much is China, which prevents its citizens from accessing those platforms. But the foundation for Embiid had been laid in China before he stepped foot in the country, which he had never visited before this trip.
He's affectionately known here by the nickname “Dà dì,” which roughly translates to “The Great Emperor.” One of his first stops after the Sixers' arrival was a promotional appearance for Master Kong, a Chinese tea company that has put Embiid's face on 300 million bottles.
Embiid, a native of Cameroon, has become one of the NBA's brightest stars, dominating on the court with a unique skill set and creating waves off the court with his juvenile charm and delightful sense of humor. Nicknamed “The Process” in America, Embiid is sometimes seen as the lasting legacy of Sam Hinkie, the former president and general manager of the Sixers.
After missing the first two seasons of his NBA career with injuries, the 7-foot Embiid burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2016-17, showing off post moves that would make Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon proud. He's averaged 22.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game, making shots from the post to beyond the arc while displaying guard skills that men his size usually don't possess.
Although there's no definitive reason why Embiid is referred to as the Great Emperor, it's interesting to note that Master Kong — the “Chinese tea company that has put Embiid's face on 300 bottles” — is the Latinized form of Confucius' name in Mandarin Chinese “Kong Fūzi.”
Confucius is universally considered to be the greatest philosopher in China's history.
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