Embiid CALLS Ben Simmons Situation ‘Disrespectful’ To 76ers!
ClebnSports247.com previously reported that Sixers Ben Simmons is done playing with Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid…
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Well, Joel Embiid is now calling the situation with his disgruntled co-star Ben Simmons “disappointing” and “borderline kind of disrespectful” to all Philadelphia 76ers players.
Embiid responded comes after 76ers baller Ben Simmons he feels that playing with Joel Embiid “has run its course.”
Joel Embiid told reporters at training camp in Camden, New Jersey:
The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives.
Embiid Pushed Back at Ben Simmons:
Embiid, who resigned with the 76ers, also pushed back on Simmons’ reported belief that the Sixers chose to build around their All-NBA big man in a way that does not fit Simmons’ playing style. He goes on to argue that the team has always tried to accommodate him.
Embiid said, before listing all the 3-point shooters on the roster:
I feel like our teams have been built, whether it’s the shooting need or stretch-5 and all that stuff, I feel like [Simmons] always had it here. And we still have it…Our teams have always been built around his needs.
Embiid referenced the Sixers’ offseason in 2019 when they inked Al Horford to a big deal while letting Jimmy Butler go to the Miami Heat, as another example of how Philadelphia made moves with Simmons in mind.
27-year-old Embiid said of the report:
It was kind of surprising to see…We’ll say that even going back to the reason we signed Al. We got rid of Jimmy, which I still think it was a mistake, just to make sure [Simmons] needed the ball in his hands. That’s the decision they made. Like I said, it is surprising.
Why Joel Says 76ers Cater to Simmons:
While Embiid reiterated his belief that the Sixers are better with Simmons, he said it’s time to focus on the team.
He said:
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.
As for Simmons, he has four years and $147 million left on his max contract — including $33 million for 2021-22. Should the Sixers choose to suspend him, Simmons stands to lose $227,000 for each exhibition and regular-season game missed, up through the 20th game of the season. For games 21-82, that figure rises to $300,000.
