Sixers MVP candidate Joel Embiid spoke to reporters, including Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com, following the team’s 100-87 victory over the Thunder Friday night, and said he’s happy to not have to talk about Ben Simmons anymore, and is glad that everybody has moved on. In case you missed the blockbuster trade, Simmons was dealt to Brooklyn as part of a package that brought James Harden to Philadelphia.
“I’m happy that I’m not going to be answering any more questions about that subject,” Embiid said. “It’s good that, not just for me, but my teammates, the whole organization. The whole year it was pretty annoying with the whole situation, but I’m glad that everybody has moved on. I wish everybody the best in whatever they want to accomplish, but I’m focused on winning games here and trying to win a championship.
“You look at the history being on the court, what we did in the regular season, we were dominant. So it’s unfortunate that winning was not the biggest factor. It’s unfortunate that for him, having his own team and I guess being a star was more of his priorities. But I always thought that everything was great, the fit was great. But unfortunately Ben thought that it wasn’t. But we all move on.”
As Neubeck points out, Simmons won’t be the main star in Brooklyn, but it’s still a fresh start for a player whose time was clearly over in Philadelphia, and Embiid’s comments only solidify that their pairing had run its course. Embiid said he’s excited to form a dynamic partnership with Harden, and opposing teams will be left scrambling to decide which player to focus on.
“I think the way to look at it, every single time I touch a ball, there’s a double or triple team which is gonna make my teammates and [Harden] even better,” Embiid said. “So now you really got a choice. Are you going to double me or are you going to double him? You got to make that decision and based on every game it might change.
“Other teams might want to take me out of the game or other teams might want to take him out of the game. So we just adjust and then we just go from there…it’s exciting. I never played with someone like that. So I’m just excited for the new challenge and try to go and get it done.”
Coach Doc Rivers said the move makes the Sixers championship contenders and he’s prepared for the pressure that comes along with that, even though he’ll be rushed to get Harden acclimated to compete against the likes of the Suns, Bucks and Heat, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
“No one else can put no more pressure on myself than I do,” Rivers said. “It will never happen. I’m in this to win. I’ve always been in this to win. When you get into that, when you make that decision, you understand there’s going to be pressure with it. And there should be. Because if there wasn’t, everybody would be champions. I think the reason we did this deal is so we can jump into the fray.
“I think [we are good enough],” Rivers continued. “I don’t know. That’s something we’ll find out. We did it with the belief we do, obviously. “We don’t have a lot of time. The Phoenix’s of the world and teams, Milwaukee and Miami, they’ve been together, Milwaukee three years, four years, as a group. So we have to get it done quickly.”
Sixers are going to be great now !!
They’re going to contend for a championship !!
They added a huge piece which puts them at the top with other contenders…
Oh I forgot.. they have Doc Rivers…
All they need to do is overcome at least one loss where they were up by 35 and lose by 15.
Yup, the worst coach in postseason. Plus, Harden who is just as bad in postseason. Finally, Embid who is never clutch in poatseason. Guarantee he will be holding his knees in pain … It’s always his way out for not winning.
@Gary, that is cute, but like Doc or not, he is still a million times better than Brett Brown!!!
What is Brett Brown doing these days? He isn’t even a Water Boy/Man!
Yes he’s better than Brett Brown.
I like Doc a lot but I wouldn’t want him to coach for a championship. Doc Rivers is such a great interview and so well-spoken and smart and I’m sure he blows owners away when applying for these coaching jobs.
He’s very thoughtful and seems to have the right thing to say every time. He backs his players and he’s not an idiot.
But my goodness he’s been given Championship rosters time and time again in the past.. and even with an all-nba team he could only get one ring out of it. Granted the Lakers of that area we’re good too but I still hold it against Doc for those Clippers losses year in and year out. Great guy but not championship-caliber coach.
Brett Brown doesn’t even enter in the equation here. We’re talking playoffs and Beyond.
Not only do his teams choke again and again in postseasons, but he blames his Superstar publicly for the loss. He hasnt prioritized winning and hard work for a long time now…
@michol
you’re ridiculous. if a coach isn’t prioritizing winning then what? what was the reason to call out, right or wrong, Simmons?
Brett is great at instilling culture but if his system starts to fail in the game he can’t adjust. Doc is able to adapt
Instilling culture? You mean the guy who publicly stated to the media that Ben needs to shoot and that he would make Ben take 3s and then… none of that happened. Hell of a culture
I think doc has a championship ring knucklehead. I think doc has over 1000 career wins. I think doc knows how to coach superstars. I know doc has forgotten more basketball than you know. Welcome to philly BEARD.
I think my favorite argument that I’ve heard for why Ben wasn’t able to perform like he was: “too light skinned” which every time I heard that argument brought up I couldn’t help but laugh.
But when you break it down it’s very simple… Ben is just a B….. that’s the ‘root cause’ of the whole situation.
People get on LBJ for passing the ball in big moments, but you could make the case that he usually found an open guy and put the ball on him in position to take a good shot. Now if we go back to the straw that broke the camel’s back – Ben had a wide open dunk and he passed it to Tisse who was double covered and got a body-sandwich trying to score. He was afraid of the moment, because he’s a B….. plain and simple.
I’m not that much older than Ben, but like dude get over it, you got criticized rightfully for pooping your pants for an entire playoff series. We all go through rough patches in our lives, have anxiety, depression etc… but you made a farse out of it to get out of fines. I believe someone like Kevin Love, I don’t believe Ben Simmons. And honestly I think he should have been suspended by the league for it even at the cost of the Sixers not being able to trade him. It spits in the face of the fanbase that surrounds Philly – people with real problems that have to face those problems everyday regardless of how they feel because they haven’t already made 10s of millions and aren’t on a 150M contract and can’t afford to not show up because they have mouths to feed.
But I digress, and while I think we clearly overpaid – like 2 firsts on top of Seth and Drummond is ridiculous bc we couldn’t do another deal this TD involving picks. I’m just happy we got rid of Salvatore Bonpensiero and I hope the Sixers medical staff is fully stocked and ready to go to keep the wheels from falling off for James and Jo so we can get 1 championship out of the Process.
Fingers crossed for you bro. Hope they do well. Joel embiid has his work boots on and he’s battled all year with great results. Now he has reinforcement at the wing with the ball in his hands. Let’s see what they can do.
Go back and watch Rockets Spurs Game 6 – you can see first hand what Harden can (not) do.
@philly
I will humbly accept my flowers for the “light skinned” comment. Thank you, thank you.
@philly
And congrats for the use of the once great Bonpensiero character to describe Simmons. Spot on.
Ben Simmons forced his way out and you critcize and in the same breath cheer on James Harden who just did the same thing. Pretty long winded way to reveal your bias…
I didn’t really cheer James Harden at all, I just said I hope we have enough duct tape to keep it together for a championship. We had to trade Ben for someone that was willing to play. I’ve criticized Harden aka Rick Ross plenty for his Houston nonsense. I also think we can agree that Brooklyn hasnt been what it was expected to be. You’ve got Kyrie doing Kyrie things that aren’t conducive to winning. All that squad had to do was show up. Breaking them up helped out every other East squad. We have James for 1.5 seasons, unless he tries get traded next year, but that’s a next year problem.
I’m sorry but I just can’t imagine james harden holding up that Larry O’Brien trophy. The baskball gods won’t allow it.
Wow so many people in here who were wrong the whole time so mad at Morey for doing what he said he would do. Sixers are contenders in the East
Contenders til Harden finds the best strip clubs in Philly then he’ll piss off Embiid just like he did Westbrook in Houston. This could lead to Embiid leaving Philly
I’m not sure where Embid’s comments are coming from – did anyone get the sense Simmons’ big issue was wanting to be a star of his own team? Says more about Embid I think?
Widely known secret here that Ben wants to be ‘the man’ which is funny b/c he never will be on the Nets.
Yeah that was weird. He went to a team with more star power than the 76ers as well.
How about not throwing your teammates under the bus Joel? At least not to the media! Great player but weird situation still in Philly.
He didn’t go there by choice, he doesnt have a no trade clause.
The Nets look better than Sixers. Simmons can shutdown Harden with his defense and KD will cook anyone
Will be hard to do from his mansion in Cali. And then the Sixers only have to guard 4 guys.
The nets are a dumpster fire friend and adding the head case Simmons doesn’t help. Meanwhile the smooth running Sixers just added a top 5, hof, to the best player in the NBA. Read and weep .
.
Top 8 declining HOF, that will still push them further than Simmons ever could. I still don’t think they beat Milwaukee though.
Who will be in Conference Finals
Bucks, Heat or 76ers?
I put Irving in the “injury list”
Who will win the West?
Suns, Warriors or Grizzlies?
Harden’s legacy should take a massive hit. He can’t even last 1 season with the superteam he demanded a trade to. What was wrong with Brooklyn? Anyone who says it was just about Kyrie and his situation is lying.
No one said it was just Kyrie, but if you can’t see Kyrie as absolutely annoying to have as a teammate (choosing to sit out games, sage burning near your locker) than the only one lying is you.
I doubt you guys have watched Harden over the yrs. His attitude and ego. Have always gotten in the way of his game and talent. So even though this on paper is a great move by Sixers. Only time will tell what you really get. The short term is. He wants a ring and he is 33. He has a real shot here this and next yr. It’s a lot to ask for the 1st yr. Plus factor in his shape and injuries this yr. Me personally I would never sign him long term. He will not age well. But this yr should be fun for all. The East is once again Dominant. And remember the date 3/10/22 Thursday night. Sixers come to the BK……. can’t wait for that.
Why wouldn’t Harden age well, his games based on isos, hesitations and step back 3s.
Cause he’s not a workout monster like Kobe. He doesn’t run just watch him. Plays D when he wants. And has a body type that will pun on weight if you do t take care of yourself. I lived in Houston have cousins who are big Rockets fans. Just read about his history. Just look at what he did to Rockets and Nets. And you think he will age well. A hamstring injury for two yrs. Should tell you something.
Nobody knows if another Doc Rivers’ team will inexplicably choke in the playoffs. What we do know is that if it happens, it won’t be Doc Rivers’ fault.
Come on Joel, teams will always double or treble you not Harden, I mean why would anyone do that to a guard?!?!?
When the opposing team has a great center like yourself, that is what you focus in, never a guard, they don’t change games!!!
Turn off ESPN Classic and watch the modern game… people guard Steph Curry.
Yeah, ’cause GSW never has had a dominant center… so what is your point, dude?
Ppl don’t realize that doc had DJ on the clippers. Same issue with ben. The best defensive player is unplayable in crunch time because of poor ft shooting. The rockets came back without harden. The reason doctor teams have failed is bcuz the best defender is the worst shooter.PG and kawhi choked that game 7 against the nuggets. Can’t put that on doc. One of them 2 should’ve willed the team to a W regardless of doc. Doc got a bad rap. I’ve never seen a Celtics team choke or blow leads and that’s in part to everybody was hitting fts.as for Ben, F that guy. He is a Disgrace to my skin tone and he’s not even a u.s citizen. Ever star has issues and we will gladly take hardens BS over Benedict Simmons.
Trading one cancer for another cancer. Nobody wins it all.