Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were definitely a solid duo during their time together on the Philadelphia 76ers. While they never got past the 2nd round in the Eastern Conference, they did enjoy some regular-season success and were the No. 1 seed in the East in the 2020-21 season.
However, the duo has since been split apart, with Ben Simmons getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The Philadelphia 76ers ended up getting James Harden in return though, and Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant notably claimed that both sides got what they wanted.
Joel Embiid has recently commented on Ben Simmons, claiming that the “winning” the duo did together “was not the biggest factor”. He added that “it’s unfortunate” that Ben Simmons wanted “his own team”, and that “being the star” was more important to him.
#Sixers star center Joel Embiid on ‘not getting it done’ with Ben Simmons: pic.twitter.com/KdwlpbLqfY
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 12, 2022
Obviously we didn’t get it done as far as winning in the playoffs, but you look the history of being on the court, what we did in the regular season, we were dominant. So it’s unfortunate that winning was not the biggest factor. It’s unfortunate that, for him, having his own team and, I guess, being the star, was more of his priorities. I always thought that everything was great, the fit was great, but unfortunately Ben thought that it wasn’t. But, you know, we all move on.
There is no question that things ended up working out for both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Both players are now on contending teams that will be looking to win the 2021-22 NBA championship.
Hopefully, we see Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons both find the type of success that they are looking for. There’s no question that both are extremely talented players. Sometimes star partnerships simply don’t work out, whether it is due to fit or other reasons.
