The Philadelphia 76ers traded Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat for a package of players and draft picks. In an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia, Sixers forward Joel Embiid said that he still thinks it was a mistake.
Joel Embiid has been a very vocal critic of the Sixers trading Jimmy Butler in late June. In an interview with ESPN, Embiid said that he still thinks it was a mistake to trade Butler for Ben Simmons.
The Wide World of Sports on Nine
The Philadelphia 76ers were brimming with skill and potential only a few years ago. The team had Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, and JJ Redick on the roster for 55 games in the 2018-19 season. If the team had been given more time to develop and gel, it might have made major strides in the Eastern Conference.
Instead, the Sixers threw a wrench in the works that summer, letting Jimmy Butler leave for free in a move that has since been universally panned.
Since then, the Sixers have been beset by disappointment and controversy, the most of which has centered on Ben Simmons, who seems to believe that the club has done too little to utilize his talent set.
Joel Embiid had a lot to say about Simmons and his strained relationship with the Sixers, including debunking the idea that the Sixers haven’t been catering to Simmons all these years.
(Image courtesy of Liberty Ballers)
It was visible to me. I’m not sure whether it originated from him or not, but based on the information that’s been put out there in recent months and the response to his absence, I believe it’s safe to presume it’s coming from him — whether it’s his agency, his people, or anything else. As I have said, it is sad, but I believe that our team has been formed around [us] throughout the years. When you look at last year’s starting lineup, you’ll see that I was the poorest three-point shooter in the starting lineup, shooting 38 percent from three. We’ve always had shooters, and I believe that I can play alongside anybody and help them improve on the court. I don’t necessarily need shooters, but I believe that when we signed Al [Horford], it was because we needed a stretch five to ensure that [Simmons] was covered.
Embiid resumed his tirade, accusing Ben of orchestrating the Jimmy Butler deal.
I’ve had to walk out to the three-point line for the most of my career, which I don’t mind. Basketball is something I’d want to do. I like doing everything on the floor, but I believe our teams have been constructed — whether it’s the shooting required, or a stretch five — I believe he’s always had it here — and we still have it. You’ve got Seth Curry, one of the greatest three-point shooters in history, Danny Green, Tobias [Harris], Furkan [Korkmaz], who comes off the bench at times, and Shake [Milton], who I believe can be a better shooter but can get hot. Georges [Niang] was recently added. As a result, I believe our teams have always been formed around his requirements. It’s a little shocking to see him say that. Even going back to why we signed Al… we let Jimmy [Butler] leave, which I still believe was a mistake… [Simmons] need possession of the ball. They came to that conclusion. As I have said, it seems unexpected, but I am entirely focused on the men present.
Embiid, a four-time All-Star, is widely regarded as the franchise’s future leader, and with good cause. He is one of the greatest players in the game, averaging 24.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game on 48 percent shooting.
Unfortunately, he’s gotten caught up in it all, and the Sixers aren’t going to get very far until they find out how to deal with it.
The ben simmons 3 point percentage is a statistic that shows the percentage of 3-point shots made by a player over the course of a season. Joel Embiid believes that Ben Simmons should have been traded instead of Jimmy Butler, because he has a higher 3-point percentage than Butler does.
Related Tags
- where is ben simmons from
- ben simmons defense
- joel embiid wingspan
