EMBIID BLASTS SIMMONS FOR HIS 76ERS ‘DISRESPECT’

PHILADELPHIA 76ers star Joel Embiid on Thursday accused unsettled star Ben Simmons of “disrespecting” his teammates as he attempts to force a trade out of the club.

In comments to reporters, Embiid hit back at suggestions coming from Simmons’s camp this week that he wanted to leave was because he felt the team was being built to suit Embiid’s skills.

“The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives,” Embiid said, bristling at suggestions the team was being built around him. “It was kind of surprising to see,” he said. “We got rid of Jimmy (Butler) just to make sure he needed the ball in his hands, and that’s the decision they made. Like I said it’s surprising.” Australian star Simmons has told the Sixers he wants to leave the club and has refused to report for pre-season training. Simmons’s 76ers future has been the subject of speculation since the team lost a decisive Game 7 to Atlanta in last season’s playoffs, with Simmons’s offensive output shrivelling in the crucial final quarter.