Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were Sixers teammates for over five years. By then, one would think the two would have developed a strong relationship and chemistry.
But, the unfortunate truth was that the two never got along and never grew close off the field. They just didn’t click, and it had nothing to do with anything personal.
After that, everything came to an end in 2022 when Simmons was traded to the Nets, causing a chaotic farewell.
The Hawks defeated Philadelphia in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Embiid and Doc Rivers, the coach of the Sixers, both commented on Simmons’ poor performance throughout the game, citing his offensive difficulties.
Ultimately, he requested a trade and eventually got what he wanted. Embiid is forthright about the two superstars leaving the Sixers, including Jimmy Butler, who had a similarly unpleasant departure in 2019.
Embiid was all positive when he spoke with Tyrese Maxey on his podcast, Maxey on the Mic, about his former teammate.
Although Embiid acknowledges that he always felt Simmons was a fantastic player—a “monster”—and that he didn’t think he needed to rely on jumpers, Simmons had a terrible reputation back then for missing jump shots.
He even makes a speed comparison between Simmons and Tyrese.
“I simply thought that everything would have changed if he had been able to increase his free throw percentage to between 75 and 80 percent,” the reigning MVP adds.
He concludes by expressing remorse for Simmons’s outcome and saying, “I think that’s the one that got away.”
Embiid, meanwhile, emphasises how the Sixers may have approached the Butler situation differently.
After spending a season in Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler left as soon as he arrived. He wasn’t happy with the team dynamic or management during his brief stay with the Sixers.
He was friendly with big man Embiid despite this, and he still maintains that Butler’s release was a mistake.
