The NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year 2023, Joel Embiid, has recently shared his thoughts on Tyrese Maxey’s podcast. One point he discussed was his relationship with the three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons when they were both on the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to Fadeaway World, Embiid shared via Maxey on the Mic podcast, “I’ve always been one of those people that didn’t believe he needed a jumper like he was so good, he’s just a monster…. almost as fast as you. Freaking monster, strong, I never actually believed he needed a jumper. I just believed that, you know, if he could find a way to get his free throws to 75-80% that would have changed everything… I think that’s the perfect match… I think that’s the one that got away. I just hate the fact that the way things happened.”
The duo of both Embiid and Simmons was touted as a turning point for the 76ers, as the squad was sure they would both become the championship duo for this team.
However, unfortunately for the Philadelphia 76ers, the partnership could not become what it was supposed to become. The duo broke up two years ago after the playoffs, followed by a convoluted trade saga.
Their partnership soon became suffocating and, as per Fadeaway World, Embiid was also seen sharing memes regarding Simmons and his trade to the Brooklyn Nets. With Simmons’s trade, the Philadelphia 76ers were able to land the ten-time NBA All-Star, James Harden.
Their falling out was evident and it was a given that the pair had no chance of continuing their partnership any further. The Philadelphia 76ers took the brunt and were significantly impacted.
The then-head coach, Doc Rivers, had also openly critiqued Ben Simmons regarding his play. Subsequently, the 76ers decided to trade Simmons and found stability with the inclusion of Harden.
