Joel Embiid: “Like every single night, I just fricking kill whoever’s in front of me…”
Last night’s highly contested game between the Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers against Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets ended with the Sixers winning 137-133.
In case you weren’t paying attention, last night was the first time that Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons played against each other since he was traded to Brooklyn for James Harden last February.
Needless to say, it was quite the show, with words exchanged and stares between the former teammates, along with six technical fouls called throughout the game.
Read the Full Game Recap Here >>
Simmons, who was held scoreless on one field goal attempt in the first half, scored 10 points in the third quarter, finishing the game with 12 and the Nets lost their fifth out of their last seven games without Kevin Durant in the lineup.
Embiid spoke to the media following the game and discussed facing Simmons, which of course, he downplayed. However, anyone who watched the game knew damn well that wasn’t the case.
Embiid via SixersWire/USA Today
“The game was good today,” said Embiid when asked about facing Simmons. “Obviously, it was about the Sixers and the Nets and I felt the game, we could have been better. Defensively, we were just not good today then, obviously, we could have put the game away, and we didn’t and then we gave them a chance. In those situations, we just got to do a better job.”
“I was not,” Embiid swore. “If you look at the way I play, it doesn’t matter, whatever matchup every single night. Whoever’s in front of me, it’s always the same aggression and it’s always the same aggression as far as trying to score the ball. Tonight, that was the same thing. I missed a lot of shots today which hasn’t happened in a while so I had a bad night. I’m happy we got the win.”
“Nothing,” Embiid continued to swear. “Like every single night, I just fricking kill whoever’s in front of me. My mentality is always about scoring and if I get doubled, make the right pass, but if I get played one on one, I see an opportunity to go score. I’m gonna go score.”
“Nothing,” Embiid continued to swear. “Like every single night, I just fricking kill whoever’s in front of me. My mentality is always about scoring and if I get doubled, make the right pass, but if I get played one on one, I see an opportunity to go score. I’m gonna go score.”
While the game definitely had some extra spice to it with Embiid and Simmons clearly playing with a chip on their shoulders, Embiid typically struggles in games where his emotions get the best of him. Last night was no different, but given the fact that every one in the city of Philadelphia was feeling the same thing about his matchup against Simmons while the Sixers ultimately won the game, I think we can all agree it was worth it.
THRUST THE PROCESS.
Joel Embiid had 26 points and 10 rebounds, James Harden scored 23 points and seven assists, while De’Anthony Melton added 19 and three blocks, and Tobias Harris dropped 18 points.
Tyrese Maxey who should now be the front runner for sixth man of the year, scored 16 of his 27 points in the second half, adding five assists on the night. Matisse Thybulle had 10 and three steals off the bench.
The Sixers got contributions from all over the roster, with six players scoring in double digits on the night.
- Tyrese Maxey: 27 PTS | 3 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL
- Joel Embiid: 26 PTS | 10 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL
- James Harden: 23 PTS | 7 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK
- De’Anthony Melton: 19 PTS | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL
- Tobias Harris: 18 PTS | 4 REB | 2 AST
- Matisse Thybulle: 10 PTS | 2 REB | 1 AST | 3 STL
Read More: Embiid tells Durant to SUCK IT on Twitter following last night’s game >>
