Legendary broadcaster Mike Breen is walking back a story about LeBron James criticizing Joel Embiid after James called it out as “lies.”
“I’m so disappointed how the story was interpreted,” Breen told ESPN. “The whole intent was praising LeBron for already having an impact on the team’s professionalism and accountability, even something so benign as a player getting on the court for practice a minute or two late.”
During Monday’s preseason Knicks vs. Sixers game broadcast on MSG Networks, Breen explained he’d caught wind of James reaming Embiid for being late to practice.
“Somebody told me before the game that they were out ready to practice, and Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple of minutes late, and LeBron let him hear it,” Breen said.
The following day, James pushed back, writing on his Instagram, “He ain’t been late so stop the lies.”
“I thought it would be an interesting anecdote to show LeBron’s leadership already on display in Philly,” Breen continued. “For me, the fact that the teammate was Joel was meaningless. In hindsight, I should have realized the fact that it was Joel is what made it a story. I’ve always been a huge fan of Joel and feel awful that it put the focus on him the way that it did.
“I don’t know why the person who told me the story would make it up, but if LeBron says it never happened then I believe him and apologize for putting it out there.”
It’s not the first time Embiid has been at the center of reports about timeliness.
Two years ago, as the 76ers started 2-11, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that his Philly teammates were calling Embiid out for lateness “for everything” during the skid.
