Mike Breen addresses viral Joel Embiid story after LeBron James denial

Mike Breen has apologized after LeBron James publicly refuted a story the broadcaster shared on air about Joel Embiid being late to practice. Breen stated that he believes James and regretted sharing the fabricated story, explaining he only intended to highlight LeBron’s team leadership.

After the story about Joel Embiid being late to practice that was told by Mike Breen during the Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks preseason game broadcast, went viral, LeBron James denied the story, which lead Breen to address the situation.

The commentator was confused why his source would lie to him about this story and apologized for telling it.

“I don’t know why the person who told me the story would make it up, but if LeBron says it never happened then I believe him and apologize for putting it out there,” he said to ESPN.

What caused this situation?

During the broadcast, Breen told the story of how LeBron reportedly scolded Embiid for being late to practice.

“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,” he said during the game.

James then shot down the report on his Instagram story, stating: “He ain’t been late so stop the lies”.

Mike Breen revealed that his intention was to showcase LeBron’s leadership rather than putting down Embiid.

“I’m so disappointed how the story was interpreted,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

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