Joel Embiid shares frustrations after being named in false LeBron James report

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid vented his frustration after being the victim of a false report about his practice habits.

Embiid addressed a false story about how LeBron James allegedly got on his case for being late to practice during preseason workouts. Embiid brushed off the report itself, but did voice some frustration at how he seems to fall victim to a certain narrative more than others.

“Those type of things, I can’t understand,” Embiid said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “One, it is not true, but then again, it’s like, ‘Why me?’ … I guess I’m Joel Embiid. I’ve been in that situation. I don’t usually talk when it comes to those [rumors]. So, it feels like I’m an easy target.”

The Embiid story was originally shared by Mike Breen on an MSG Networks broadcast. 

"Somebody told me before the game that they were out ready to practice, and Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple of minutes late, and LeBron let him hear it," Breen said on the broadcast, via McMenamin.

Breen later apologized for how the anecdote gained traction.

Embiid has frequently been the subject of reports questioning his work ethic and fitness, whether they are accurate or not. One can understand why he is sick of hearing them, especially if they are not the truth.