Joel Embiid Explains The Best Thing To Come Out Of Ben Simmons Saga

Joel Embiid had to deal with Ben Simmons and his drama for almost an entire season.

Now that Joel Embiid has James Harden on his side and the Sixers are heading into the playoffs, he’s starting to reflect on the Ben Simmons saga.

Embiid recently spoke to The Athletic, where he talked at length about the Simmons issue. As Embiid pointed out, there was something good to come out of it, as the entire ordeal forced him into being a much better leader in terms of the locker room.

Via The Athletic:

“It was a tough situation to navigate and go through (with Simmons). Even to this day, I don’t have any hard feelings towards everything that happened. But being in my position, having to answer questions about that whole thing every single day, it was kind of draining. And I’m sure it was draining for my Sixers teammates. So the drama was pretty crazy, but my whole thing going into the season was to come in and try to be a better leader. In the past, I was trying to lead on the court, by my play, and I was never really focused on off the court and what I could bring to the table.

So, you know, I knew the situation we were in, and I didn’t know what was going to happen, so I had to make sure that I brought it off the court and on the court. On the court, just try to play at an even higher level than I did last year. The knock on me was last year that I wasn’t healthy enough. So to come back, take another step (with his play), and then also stay on the floor for the Sixers, that was a big goal for me. When you look at this year, sure it looks like I missed, what, 12 games or whatever. But nine of them were due to COVID and all that stuff. So I’m really happy, and I’m excited for myself.”

Joel Embiid unplugged: On the MVP, trusting Daryl Morey, his new partner James Harden and still having a ‘long way to go’

via @TheAthletic https://t.co/ueXak7isTc

— Zac🌴🍻🍹 (@newc88) March 28, 2022

Embiid will get to show off his leadership skills once the playoffs start a few weeks from now.

The Sixers could make a serious run.

If Harden and Embiid can  play like they’re capable of, expect them to win the East.

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