Joel Embiid described the rejected report about LeBron James laying into him for showing up late to Sixers practice as “unfortunate,” questioning postgame why it happened, pondering, “It feels like I’m an easy target.” This whole drama blew up after longtime ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen recounted the tale during a preseason game between the New York Knicks and Sixers, claiming a source told him Embiid walked out late and LeBron “let him hear it.”
The Practice That Never Was, Or Was It?
So Breen drops this bomb on the MSG Networks broadcast, late in a 120-97 Philadelphia win over the Knicks, saying someone told him that Embiid was “a couple of minutes late” to practice and LeBron tore into him. You know, the kind of juicy insider info that gets everyone talking. But here’s the kicker: LeBron James himself jumped onto Instagram Tuesday, shutting it down with a story that read, “ain’t been late so stop the lies.” Boom. Direct. To the point. No room for misinterpretation. Breen then had to apologize, explaining to ESPN that his anecdote came from a “trusted source” and he was just trying to highlight LeBron’s instant leadership in Philly, not Embiid’s alleged tardiness. Talk about stepping in it.
“Why Me?” The Fallout and the History
Embiid, after a tough 114-108 defeat to the Nets, echoed LeBron’s denial, stating, “It sucks, but what can you do? It’s unfortunate. I don’t know where that came from. It never happened.” He stressed that the team needs to “focus on ourselves” because there’s “going to be a lot of outside noise to pull us apart.” Embiid’s frustration is clear, especially when he says, “One, it is not true, but then again, it’s like, ‘Why me?’… I guess I’m Joel Embiid. I’ve been in that situation. I don’t usually talk when it comes to those [rumors]. So, it feels like I’m an easy target.” And honestly, you can see why he feels that way. About two years ago, Tyrese Maxey reportedly called him out in a team meeting for being late “for everything” amid a rough 2024-25 campaign start. Plus, with his extensive injury history, his conditioning and body care are constantly under scrutiny. These stories just keep popping up.
Against the Nets, Embiid definitely had a rough outing, putting up only six points on 1-of-5 shooting and coughing up a ghastly eight turnovers. He had the fewest points among the Sixers’ newly minted starting five, which now includes LeBron. James, who took on a facilitator role, still managed 10 points and five assists. It makes you wonder how all this outside noise is impacting the big man. Just last month, LeBron himself cited wanting to help Embiid finally win an NBA championship as a key reason for signing with Philadelphia, telling his “Mind the Game” podcast audience on Sept. 25 that Embiid has “done everything in our league,” except win a title. Now, with the preseason swirling with these kinds of reports, Embiid’s message to “stay together” and “keep our head down” is more critical than ever if they want to live up to LeBron’s championship aspirations.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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