The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns have big men rivalry brewing

By Lucas Johnson

CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 21: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during Media Day at the Sixers Training Complex on September 21, 2018 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 21: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during Media Day at the Sixers Training Complex on September 21, 2018 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has yet to play a game against the Phoenix Suns rookie Deandre Ayton, but tension grows between the two big men.

There’s little doubt that Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid is one of the more polarizing centers in NBA history. Embiid also has a history of not playing nice with rival centers, just ask Andre Drummond and Hassan Whiteside. Embiid’s smack talk has seemed to have found a new target and he has yet to play a single NBA game.

Phoenix Suns rookie Deandre Ayton is the most recent recipient of Embiid’s smack talk antics. It started when Ayton was compared to Embiid by ESPN analyst and former NBA player Chauncey Billups. Embiid tweeted in response to Billups’ comparison.

Embiid’s burn of Ayton’s defensive abilities was solid, however the friction between the two didn’t stop there. At Sixers’ media day, ESPN’s The Jump was there and interviewed Embiid. When shown a picture of Ayton, Embiid used an expletive to explain how much he was going to beat him on the court. Below is the full censored version including other players Embiid likes to talk trash with.

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Embiid did go on to say the Phoenix’s number one overall pick did have potential, which shows Embiid has some respect for Ayton. However, yet again this is another jab the the rookie big man. With all the offseason jabs, when the two big man meet for the first time in Philadelphia on Nov. 19th, it should be a fun show.

On a side note, Suns injured star Devin Booker did come to the defense of his teammate, by stepping up to Embiid’s statement. Assuming Booker is all healed up by the time these two teams meet, he should add some extra heat to  the flames of this rivalry. In the past, Booker has been praised by Kevin Durant for his trash talking ability.

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The Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns fan bases should get a great show whenever these two teams meet on the court. Both teams have up and coming stars in the league which should make good games standing without any added help. However, with the addition of the building rivalry that Embiid is creating between himself and Ayton, games between the two clubs just got extra exciting.