Damage control? Mike Breen backtracks on controversial comments about Lebron James following Embiid's reaction
What was supposed to highlight leadership turned into one of Philadelphia’s first preseason distractions
The Philadelphia 76ers are still in preseason, but one off-court story has already generated more attention than anything that happened in their opening game.
During the fourth quarter of Philadelphia’s 120-97 win over the New York Knicks , Mike Breen said he had been told that Joel Embiid arrived a couple of minutes late to practice and that LeBron James immediately called him out.
“Somebody told me before the game that they were out ready to practice, and Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple of minutes late, and LeBron let him hear it,” Breen said on the broadcast.
The story spread quickly because of Embiid’s previous history with questions about punctuality and accountability. James, however, rejected it outright.
“He ain’t been late so stop the lies,” James wrote on Instagram.
Point was never to criticize Embiid
Breen addressed the fallout Wednesday and said his intention had been almost the opposite of how the story was received.
“I’m so disappointed how the story was interpreted,” Breen told ESPN. “The whole intent was praising LeBron for already having an impact on the team’s professionalism and accountability, even something so benign as a player getting on the court for practice a minute or two late.”
Breen said the anecdote came from “someone I trust” and that he believed it illustrated how quickly James was establishing himself as a leader in Philadelphia.
“I thought it would be an interesting anecdote to show LeBron’s leadership already on display in Philly,” Breen said.
He also admitted that using Embiid ’s name gave the story a weight he hadn't anticipated.
“In hindsight, I should have realized the fact that it was Joel is what made it a story,” Breen said. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Joel and feel awful that it put the focus on him the way that it did.”
Nurse backs Embiid as Sixers try to move on
Breen ultimately accepted James ’ denial and walked back his original comments about Embiid .
“I don’t know why the person who told me the story would make it up, but if LeBron says it never happened then I believe him and apologize for putting it out there,” Breen admitted.
Head coach Nick Nurse also pushed back on any suggestion that Embiid had been a problem during camp.
“I’m just surprised by what I was told before and what you guys are asking me about, because he’s been excellent,” Nurse said. “He’s in great shape; he’s been on the practice floor. He’s worked very hard and he looks really great.”
The Sixers would clearly prefer the focus to return to basketball. James, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey all sat out the Knicks game, with Nurse planning to use more of his intended regular-season rotation in the remaining preseason schedule.
What began as a complimentary story about James ’ leadership instead became a lesson in how quickly one anecdote can take on a life of its own.
