Joel Embiid, who missed his first game of the season Friday to rest, told reporters that he feels like his offense has taken a hit since the team acquired All-Star Jimmy Butler in the blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves last month.
“I haven’t been myself lately,” Embiid told Philly.com. “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.
#Sixers’ Joel Embiid says his new role following the Butler trade is upsetting his game, denies being tired. https://t.co/yOzl5Qcx8p via @phillydotcom
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 8, 2018
Since the Butler trade in November, many of Embiid’s offensive stats, including points per game (28.2 to 23.8), field goal percentage (48.4 to 43.1) and 3-point percentage (30.2 to 27.3), have taken hits.
Embiid is going to the free throw line less, and in his past three games, he has made just 14 of 42 shots from the field, including 1 of 9 attempts from 3-point range.
Butler was definitely a great trade for Philly, but if the big man isn’t happy, there’s going to be a serious problem.
The Sixers must trust the process.
