Joel Embiid Shoots Down Tardiness Report: 'I'm an Easy Target'

Joel Embiid spent his postgame podium time Thursday knocking down a story, not analyzing a loss. The Sixers center flatly denied an ESPN broadcast anecdote that claimed he showed up late to a preseason practice and got an earful from LeBron James, saying it never happened and that he feels like he's become an easy target. The denial landed after a brutal stat line: six points on 1-of-5 shooting with eight turnovers in a 114-108 defeat to the Nets.

Here's how the whole thing started. During Monday's 120-97 Philadelphia preseason win over the Knicks, announcer Mike Breen relayed a story from a source that Embiid walked onto the court a few minutes late and James let him hear it. James killed it on Instagram the next day, writing that Embiid hadn't been late and telling people to stop the lies. Breen then apologized on air, saying he believed James and had only meant to spotlight LeBron's early leadership in Philly.

Embiid's response was more weary than angry. He said the noise was unfortunate but couldn't understand why it kept finding him, pointing to his own history with punctuality rumors and his injury-driven reputation for conditioning questions. This isn't new territory — Tyrese Maxey reportedly called him out for being late "for everything" during the ugly start to the 2024-25 season. Embiid's message now is simpler: block out the noise and keep the group together.

The LeBron Factor

The subplot that actually matters for your roster is the new starting five. James joined Philadelphia in free agency explicitly to chase a title for Embiid, and he's slotting in as the primary facilitator — he put up 10 points and five assists against Brooklyn. That's a 41-year-old running point and a reworked shot distribution, and Embiid finished with the fewest points of that new starting unit. For a center whose fantasy value lives on volume, that's worth tracking closely.

The Fantasy Fallout

Don't overreact to one preseason dud, but don't ignore the context either. Embiid sits at C2 and #11 overall in our model, built on 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 44.5 fantasy points per game across just 38 appearances in 2025-26. The games-played number is the whole story — the usage dip from James facilitating only matters if Embiid is on the floor, and he rarely clears 40-plus games anymore.

The move is WATCH, not panic. He's too talented to fade, and his last five games last season actually ran +5.1 fantasy points above his average, so the floor is still high when healthy. But draft him knowing the ceiling got a touch lower with LeBron commanding the ball and the body never fully trustworthy. Have a C handcuff ready, because you'll need it.