In the fourth quarter of the Philadelphia Sixers' preseason win over the Knicks on Monday, Mike Breen, on the call for MSG Networks, said a source told him LeBron James called out Joel Embiid for being a couple of minutes late to practice. LeBron addressed that story on his Instagram story, writing, "He ain't been late so stop the lies."
Yes, first and foremost, it matters that the story was false, as it inadvertently painted Embiid in a negative light. Still, it wouldn't have been a bad thing if LeBron had held the center accountable for being late to practice. That's the kind of culture that the Sixers should want to have, and seems to be what Breen himself was trying to highlight, as he 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."
Even if LeBron had been late for practice (which, admittedly, would be very unlikely, given that he arrives hours early to work on his body) and Embiid called him out for it (or Tyrese Maxey, or VJ Edgecombe, or Jaylen Brown), that would, again, be a good thing. No, not the part about a star player showing up late, but about one of his teammates feeling comfortable enough to address it directly.
Embiid wasn't late, but if he were, LeBron should've called him out
Let me be clear, too, that James posting to his 153 million Instagram followers that Embiid wasn't late matters. He defended his teammate and stopped the story before it could spin even further out of control.
LeBron understands that wherever he goes, he and his team will face increased scrutiny and attention. That comes with being one of the best NBA players ever to step onto a basketball court, and if you're reading this, you probably think he's the best. And if you thought it was Michael Jordan, you likely changed your mind after James chose Philadelphia on that beautiful Friday in July.
He didn't go to the Sixers to fly under the radar in his final seasons before retiring (like that would've been possible for someone of his status, anyway). He did the opposite, making it clear he wanted to compete for his fifth title in Philadelphia. Fostering an environment where players—no matter their status—are held accountable is one defining mark of a championship team.
So if Embiid showed up a couple of minutes late, LeBron should've let him hear it. And this isn't just about James being the player to call others out if needed. His teammates need to feel comfortable doing the same to him, even Edgecombe, who is nearly half LeBron's age.
In the end, it makes everyone better.
Add us as a preferred source on Google