Joel Embiid has been in the news this season for all the wrong reasons. From injury concerns to a suspension from shoving a reporter, the star cannot keep his name out of the headlines, and it isn’t because of the Joel Embiid stats. Recently, Embiid spoke to reporters and revealed who he believes is the best player in the league. The respect between Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler runs deep, but Embiid calling Butler the best player in the league is a huge stretch.
Who’s The Best Player In The League? Embiid’s Shocking Answer
Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler Played On Monday
The Heat and 76ers faced off on Monday. The Heat bested the struggling 76ers 106-89 in a game dominated by the return of Butler from an ankle sprain. Butler dropped 30 points in the game while adding ten rebounds and five assists to the stat sheet.
Jimmy Butler had it going in his return tonight:
30 PTS
The @MiamiHEAT push the Sixers to 2-11
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— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 19, 2024
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After the game, Embiid spoke on Butler’s performance and how good he is as a player. Embiid said,
“He does everything, scoring and passing the ball. … On both sides of the floor, he’s one of the best players in the NBA, probably top five, probably the best actually – the best player in the league.”
Embiid has much respect for his former teammate, but he may have missed the mark with this one.
The Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler Days
Embiid and Butler only played with each other for less than one season. Butler was traded to the 76ers during the 2018-2019 NBA season. The 76ers were 51-31 that season and were a couple of heart-breaking bounces on the rim away from reaching the first Eastern Conference Finals in Embiid’s career.
Joel Embiid says Jimmy Butler is probably the best player in the league
“One of the best players in the league. Probably top five. Probably the best actually.”
(Via @BradyHawk305)
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 19, 2024
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When Embiid and Butler played together, the team was 28-12. It makes sense that Embiid has a great amount of respect for Butler, especially considering how well they played together. In a New York Times interview this year, Embiid spoke about the importance of continuity to winning championships. He mentioned,
“The Jimmy [Butler] years: We had a pretty good team, and then we ended up losing on a game-winning buzzer-beater against the eventual champion, Toronto.”
It seems like Embiid might miss his old running mate.
Jimmy Butler is Far From the Best
Sure, Butler is good, but he is far from the best player in the league. Although he has only played in nine of the Heat’s games this season. He isn’t even the best player on his team. Right now, Jimmy Butler is averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Meanwhile, his teammate, Tyler Herro, is averaging 24.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Butler is scoring the lowest average of his career since his third season in the league. He also has his lowest assist average in five years. Even if Butler was ever the best player in the league (he wasn’t), this wouldn’t be the year to call him that.
In fact, despite some great playoff runs and moments, Butler has never probably even been a top-five player in the league. His highest finish in MVP voting is 10th. Regardless, with the Joel Embiid stats being quite disappointing to start the season, maybe making bold claims is a way for him to get the media talking about something else.
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