Embiid Tells ESPN “Butler Was a Big Loss”

Joel Embiid took a few shots to his own teammates, somehow…

Apparently, Philadelphia 76ers fans don’t agree with their star center about Heat forward Jimmy Butler.

While those fans have been furiously tweeting that Butler didn’t choose “winning” when he decided to leave for Miami in free agency this summer, Joel Embiid told Rachel Nichols of ESPN in a sitdown, ”I wish Jimmy was on the team.”

#Sixers' Joel Embiid wishes Jimmy Butler 'was still on the team'https://t.co/tFUDUnZDcl

— Sixers Nation (@SixersNationCP) October 3, 2019

“When it was the 4th quarter we knew, the ball would be in, me (sic) or Jimmy’s hands. I knew I could count on him.”

Embiid went on to speak about how he can improve his abilities in late-game situations, but does not speak of how this role could possibly be shared with other teammates. This includes former first overall pick Ben Simmons, who has received criticism for his poor long-range shooting throughout his career.

Ben Simmons at #Sixers training camp working in his 15 ft jumper. Still has that strange shooting motion. ⁦@SportsRadioWIP⁩ pic.twitter.com/33bYG5iNUD

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) October 3, 2019

It appears Simmons still has work to do if he wants to reach Jimmy Butler level of trust with Embiid.

So what was Butler’s response to this?

Here’s the full clip (warning: there’s Jimmy language in it):

Jimmy Butler on Joel Embiid @5ReasonsSports pic.twitter.com/8cNrHrkF6F

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) October 4, 2019

Butler on Embiid: “That’s my dog, for real. We talk all the time. Even when I was traded here, I told him to continue to dominate. Continue to prove why you’re the best player in this f—ing league. I believe that.”