Joel Embiid On Jimmy Butler: “I Wish He Was Still On The Team”
The Sixers made several changes this offseason, though the team looks just as much of a threat to steal the Eastern Conference Crown as they did last season before Kawhi Leonard’s knockout shot. Center Joel Embiid is focused on getting the team to NBA Finals for the first time since 2001, though he admits that having Jimmy Butler around would make for a better journey.
“It was a big loss because me and him, we got to the point where we were really close – we’re still close,” said Embiid of losing Jimmy Butler (via ESPN’s The Jump; h/t Kurt Helin of NBC Sports).
“We talk a lot, that’s my guy, that’s my brother forever. I wish he was still on the team, because I feel like the relationship that I built with him could have gone a long way. When it was the fourth quarter, we knew the ball would either be in me or Jimmy’s hands. I knew I could count on him. This year it kind of changes around. Now other guys have to step up and I have to do more.”
Butler landed in Miami via sign-and-trade this offseason while the team netted Josh Richardson. Philadelphia also brought in Al Horford to give the team arguably the best frontcourt in the league. GM Elton Brand‘s squad is expected to be one of the best defensive teams in the league. However, Embiid acknowledges that they haven’t accomplished anything yet.
“I think we should be up there. Obviously, we still have to prove ourselves,” Embiid said of the team’s title chances. “We lost a big piece in Jimmy, he did a lot of great things for us, but we should be up there. On paper, we got a really good team so now it’s on us to go out there and actually prove it.”
Sports
via https://DMT.NEWS
Chris Crouse, DMT.NEWS
