Jimmy Buttler’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers has been one of the most talked about moves this season, as Butler had thrown quite a tantrum in Minnesota before the trade ultimately went through.
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Now, while Jimmy Butler’s arrival in Philadelphia has pleased everyone, especially the Philly fans, as the 76ers have a 18-9 record and are placed second in the Eastern Conference.
However, not everyone is content with how things have transpired ever since that Jimmy Butler trade, especially Joel Embiid.
Joel Embiid is not playing tonight (rest). Brett Brown says it's their responsibility to preserve players health and it was clear he was fatigued.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 7, 2018
Joel Embiid frustrated with role change since Butler trade. https://t.co/MGsMeKG9DG pic.twitter.com/4zU91wX4I6
— theScore (@theScore) December 8, 2018
Embiid feels that the way the 76ers set up currently is hampering his contribution to the team and his individual confidence.
“I haven’t been myself lately,” Embiid said.
“I think it’s mainly because of the way I’ve been used, which is I’m being used as a spacer, I guess, a stretch-5, which I’m only shooting [29] percent” from 3-point range.
Joel Embiid believes he'd be more effective if he was able to spend more time near the rim than on the perimeter. But he has averaged more paint touches per game since the Butler trade (9.1) than he did prior to the trade (7.1)
Details: https://t.co/u1IPuLEks7 #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/8z6s1lFa3l
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) December 8, 2018
“But it seems like the past couple games, like with the way I play, our setup, [coach Brett Brown] always has me starting on the perimeter … and it just really frustrates me.” he added.
Embiid has been averaging 34.3 minutes this season but isn’t quite content with how he is being used on the floor. He feels that he is spending a lot of time on the perimeter and that is hampering his confidence and his overall impact on the game.
“My body feels great, and it’s just I haven’t been playing well,” he said.
“We sometimes have to space the floor.
“A lot of time, actually, with the way our plays are set up, I tend to spend a lot of time on the perimeter. So it’s an adjustment.” he added.
Joel Embiid has been frustrated with his own play ever since the Jimmy Butler trade 😕
➡️ https://t.co/hRcJT2X6Sf pic.twitter.com/kWRxCWBJdX
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 8, 2018
Coach Brown commented on the entire situation and while there are obviously dots to connect following this statement from Embiid, Brown does not want to read too much into it.
“I don’t want to connect those dots,” Coach Brown said.
“But I think in general we all have to do better at creating space for Joel.” he added.
The way the 76ers are shaping up currently and the system they are playing is benefitting the team immensely.
