"Reminded me of Ben Simmons": Joel Embiid Bluntly Compares $5,262,809 Teammate to Sixers' Former No. 1 Pick

When Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons parted ways in 2022, they didn't exactly do so on amicable terms. Still, it appears that Embiid has kept his respect for his former running mate, as he indicated in a recent sound bite.

After the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Toronto Raptors 130-120, Embiid spoke about his current teammate Trendon Watford, who pulled off a triple-double performance with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. The comparison that Embiid made brought back memories of the Sixers' "Process."

"Reminded me of Ben Simmons," Embiid said of Watford.

Legion Hoops

@LegionHoops

Joel Embiid on Trendon Watford’s triple-double tonight: “Reminded me of Ben Simmons.” (via @KyleNeubeck)

There are multiple layers to Embiid's comment. For starters, it's a compliment towards Watford's versatility. In this game, Watford (who is on a two-year, $5,262,809 contract as per Spotrac) helped the Sixers outrebound and shoot more efficiently than the Raptors.

The Simmons comparison could also point specifically to the former top overall pick's prolific stats for the vast majority of his Philly stint. As a 76er, Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. He amassed a total of 32 triple-doubles in a Sixers uniform, with the last one coming in the 2020-21 season.

As talented as the Embiid-Simmons duo was, they could never take the Sixers past the second round of the playoffs. The beginning of the end came when Simmons ran into free throw shooting and fourth quarter woes that cost the Sixers dearly in the 2021 postseason.

After Philadelphia lost Game 7 of the second round to the Atlanta Hawks, Embiid called out Simmons' infamous refusal to dunk late in the game, calling it the "turning point." The next several months were marred by Simmons' absence from training camp, resulting in hefty fines and ultimately a trade to ship him off the team.

Analyst casts doubt on Joel Embiid's ability to lead Sixers to NBA title

The Simmons chapter in Philadelphia has long ended, but Embiid has remained the cornerstone of the franchise. Some pundits, however, seriously doubt that he can ever take the Sixers to the NBA's summit.

Prior to the Sixers-Raptors game on Saturday, TSN analyst Leo Rautins criticized Philadelphia for sticking it out with Embiid after all these years.

"Invest in the future with him? It’s going to cost Philly, and has cost Philly a lot," Rautins said. "You’re not going to win a championship with him. You’re not."

Omer Osman

@OmerOsman200

Leo Rautins on Joel Embiid: “Invest in the future with him? It’s going to cost Philly, and has cost Philly a lot. You’re not going to win a championship with him. You’re not.”

Ironically, after Rautins made these comments, Embiid went on to lead the Sixers with 29 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field in Philadelphia's 10-point victory over Toronto.