Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has rubbished the claims over his inability to function in a system alongside star teammate Ben Simmons.
The Sixers have struggled at certain points this season, a campaign in which they were expected to dominate the Eastern Conference. The team headed into the All-Star with a 34-21 record, in fifth place in the conference standings. And, as of late, various pundits have been suggesting that the team’s two All-Stars can’t play together.
Embiid, though, says he thinks the assertions are unfounded.
“I think it’s BS, because when you look at the last two years that we have been playing together, it was not a problem,” he explained during an All-Star media session on Saturday, per CBS Sports. “This year it’s only a problem because at times our offense has struggled and I think it’s definitely going to be better after the All-Star break. I mean, just look at the last two years what we have been able to do and I think it can work and it’s going to work.”
Simmons was also quizzed on the claims by reporters and echoed his teammate’s sentiments.
“I got a lot of respect for his game, and I know that he feels the same way about me, so as long as we continue to strive and go the right way, I think we’ll be fine,” the point guard remarked. “We got a lot of talent, it’s kind of scary how good we can be.”
The Sixers will hope for marked improvement when regular season play resumes after the All-Star break. They aren’t likely to catch the Milwaukee Bucks at the top of the standings, with the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led side running away with the East. But second or third place is probably still attainable if they can sort their issues out.
