Mike Breen apologizes after LeBron James refutes Embiid story - ESPN

CAMDEN, N.J. — After LeBron James refuted a story shared during Monday's preseason opener about a training camp interaction with new Philadelphia 76ers teammate Joel Embiid, longtime play-by-play announcer Mike Breen apologized Wednesday for the stir that it caused.

«I'm so disappointed how the story was interpreted,» Breen, who broadcast the Sixers' game against the New York Knicks for MSG Networks, 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.»

During the fourth quarter of the Sixers' eventual 120-97 win over the Knicks, Breen detailed what he had heard about James reacting to Embiid not making it onto the practice court on time.

«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.

Breen, who also calls games for ESPN and ABC, told ESPN the story was told to him by «someone I trust» and he wanted to share it with viewers to show positive team dynamics that were already developing.

«I thought it would be an interesting anecdote to show LeBron's leadership already on display in Philly,» he said.

«For me, the fact that the teammate was Joel was meaningless. In hindsight, I should have realized the fact that it was Joel is what made it a story. I've always been a huge fan of Joel and feel awful that it put the focus on him the way that it did.»

Two seasons ago, amid a disappointing 2-11 start for Philadelphia, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that Embiid was called out by teammates for being late «for