Joel Embiid Sets The Record Straight For Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons decided to stoop to a new level this past week as word got out that Simmons no longer found playing with Joel Embiid conducive to his style……let that sink in for a moment……Ben Simmons actually had the gall to say that it wasnt beneficial to him to play with the guy who should have won MVP. Well that was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back.
Joel was asked about the comments from Simmons by the media on Thursday and Embiid chose violence. Trying to be professional, yet not holding back at all. He went on a 4 minute rant that you can watch below.
Here’s the second part (audio is a little tough to hear at times, but oh well.) pic.twitter.com/EPu5app8wZ
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) September 30, 2021
“I saw it. I’m not sure. I don’t know if it came from him or whatever, but over the past few months stuff has been put out there, looking at the reaction of him not being here. I feel like it’s fair to assume it’s coming from whether it’s his agent or his people or whatever,” Embiid told reporters. “
“I feel like over the years the way our team has been built around, you look at last year, the whole starting lineup shot. I was the worst three-point shooter in the starting lineup, & I shot 38 percent from three. We’ve always had shooters, & I feel like I can really play with anybody. I can make anybody better on the court. I don’t necessarily need shooters, but I feel like over the years, you look like when we signed Al, it’s because we needed a stretch five, just to make sure that was there. Most of my career, I’ve had to kind of step out to the three-point line, which I don’t mind. I like to be a basketball player, I like to do everything on the basketball court. But I feel like our teams have been built, whether it’s the shooting needed or stretch five and all that stuff, I feel like he’s always had it here. And we still have it. Seth, one of the best three point shooters ever. Danny Green, Tobias is a 40 percent three point shooter. Furkan coming off of the bench. At times Shake, I think he can be a better shooter, but you know, he can get hot. We just added George.”
Embiid, to this point, has done nothing but state facts. But then he takes the gloves off and serves Ben/Klutch sports a hard HARD dose of reality
“So I feel like, our teams have always been built around his needs. It was kind of surprising to see. We’ll say that, even going back to, I mean, the reason we signed Al. We got rid of Jimmy, which I still think it was a mistake, just to make sure he needed the ball in his hands, and that’s the decision they made. Like I said, it is surprising.”
Yes. You read that correctly. Joel Embiid just admitted that the Philadelphia 76ers jettisoned Jimmy Butler because of Ben Simmons. The same offseason where the organization chose Ben Simmons, and Brett Brown (both of whom are about to be labeled former employees) over Butler and then threw a boatload of money at Al “this contract is horrible” Horford. This isn’t really news, but its damning for Embiid to come right out and say “Yea! We got rid of Butler for Ben Simmons and that was a mistake.” Not a direct quote but when you read between the lines its not hard to figure out what Embiid is saying. Embiid continued;
“But I’m really focused on the guys that are here. The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives. Some guys rely on the team being successful to stay in the league & make money somehow. Because if you’re on a winning team, you’re always going to have a spot in the league, just because you’re on a winning team & you contributed. Obviously, we’re a better team with him, we’re not a better team without him, that’s for sure. We are a better team with him. But like I said, it is surprising, but I’m focused on the guys that are here. We’re trying to get better, trying to get on the same agenda, we know what we got to do, & every single day we got to attack it as we’re trying to get better every single day,”
Embiid wrapped up the therapy session once again reiterating a previous point;
“We are a better team with him, there’s no question about it. We still hope he changes his mind, but I kind of owe it to these guys to worry about what we have here. That’s the fun of the job. To kind of figure out what’s going to happen, that’s not my job, I’m not the GM, I’m not an owner, so that’s none of my business, honestly.”
Embiid has had ENOUGH. We have seen soft athletes before in this city, but Ben Simmons has taken it to a whole new level. An incredible talent who never took the step from being great, to elite. I love the fact that Embiid admitted that they are a better team WITH Simmons, because…..they are. But Ben Simmons refusal to shoot in meaningful games, followed by a horrid 3 month stretch that was capped off with him becoming allergic to the basket in a game 7, has led Simmons to blame EVERYONE else but himself.
Simmons must not own a mirror. Because in his Los Angeles compound, surrounded by “yes” men, and folks on a payroll with meaningless positions, hes been told its not his fault. Hes bought into the idea that he was thrown under the bus, and is unwilling to hear any other side. The Sixers players, including Embiid, were willing to charter a jet to go make a pitch to Simmons to COME TO WORK. He said “thanks, but no thanks.” The Sixers players, and coaches went above and beyond on media day to say they wanted Simmons back. Instead he chose to do the most Ben Simmons move of all time: He acted like he wasnt living on twitter, reading all the quotes, and took a picture of himself in a basketball gym.
But after these latest comments, the Sixers true franchise player had enough, and I think we all applaud him for it. And the best part is, there is no doubt that Ben Simmons saw it. Because despite his best efforts to act like he DOESNT live on social media, reading every little story and tweet, he does. Which probably led to the best life advice Embiid could give to his future former teammate.
?s=20Joel Embiid with perhaps the quote of the century at @sixers camp today:
— Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) September 30, 2021
“I don’t get on the scale. It’s not good for my mental health.”
