One billboard in Cleveland on Monday read hashtag “PhillyWantsLeBron.” Joel Embiid confirmed such desires on Thursday with a hashtag of his own.
After the Sixers beat the Cavaliers on Thursday, Embiid posted a photo of him and LeBron James with “Summer2018Goals” in the caption.
“Trust The Process??? Always a great time playing against one of the best to ever play the game #summer2018goals,” the post read.
Trust The Process??? Always a great time playing against one of the best to ever play the game #summer2018goals pic.twitter.com/4bY941yyRO
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 2, 2018
James is set to be a free agent on July 1 when he can either re-sign with Cleveland or take his talents to another team. Some suggest the Sixers have risen as a candidate to land the 14-time All-Star with reports claiming James was recently visiting private schools for his kids in Philadelphia, which he denied.
Embiid, who finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in the win, later tweeted “it’s not what y’all think lol.”
James also took to Instagram after the game to praise rookie Ben Simmons, who he shares an agent with. James also offered up some words of encouragement for Embiid. Here’s what that post read:
“I told y’all a while back that my young King was next in line! Getting better and better every night out! Tonight another example of that. Fun to watch and compete against you again and #TheProcess@joelembiid. Remember lil bro settle for nothing less than GREATNESS!!! @bensimmons”
View this post on InstagramI told y’all a while back that my young King was next in line! Getting better and better every night out! Tonight another example of that. Fun to watch and compete against you again and #TheProcess @joelembiid. Remember lil bro settle for nothing less than GREATNESS!!! @bensimmons
A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Mar 1, 2018 at 9:52pm PST
Per ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin, Simmons and James went out of their way to praise each other after the game:
“I know he’s a great, competitive player and I’m the same way,” Simmons said. “Playing against him, obviously one of the best to play the game, so it’s a great vibe out there.” James was asked what matchup problems the 6-foot-10, 230-pound Simmons presents when he lines up at point guard.
“The same one I bring,” James said. “Power, speed, quickness, size, court awareness. Same one I bring.”
And if it’s worth anything, Embiid just earned himself a follow from The King on Instagram, too.
