Mike Breen Reveals Why He Believed the LeBron James Story Before Issuing Apology Over Joel Embiid Claim

Mike Breen has revealed why he initially believed a story alleging LeBron James reprimanded Joel Embiid for arriving late to practice.

The veteran NBA commentator apologised for repeating the story after James publicly denied it, saying he trusted the person who gave him the information, but ultimately accepted James' version of events and regretted repeating an account that cast Embiid in a negative light.

What began as an anecdote intended to highlight James' leadership quickly became a controversy involving two of Philadelphia's biggest stars.

After James dismissed the claim on social media, Breen was forced to explain how he came to believe the story and acknowledge that naming Embiid had turned an unverified report into a much bigger talking point.

Why Mike Breen Believed the LeBron James Story

Breen shared the anecdote during the Philadelphia 76ers' pre-season game against the New York Knicks on Monday, 5 October, while discussing James' early influence on his new team.

The veteran broadcaster said he had received information suggesting Embiid arrived a couple of minutes late to practice, prompting James to confront his new team-mate.

'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 during the broadcast.

Breen later explained that the information came from 'someone I trust'. He believed the source had no reason to fabricate the account and intended to share what he considered an example of James establishing standards of professionalism and accountability in Philadelphia.

However, the story quickly attracted attention because it involved two of the franchise's biggest names, turning what Breen considered an interesting anecdote into an unwanted distraction.

LeBron James Rejects the Joel Embiid Claim

James responded on Instagram on Tuesday, 6 October, directly challenging the suggestion that Embiid had been late to practice. 'He ain't been late so stop the lies,' the 41-year-old wrote.

The blunt denial cast doubt on Breen's account and prompted the broadcaster to address the controversy. By Wednesday, Breen had apologised for repeating information he had not independently verified.

Breen told ESPN that his intention had been to praise James' influence on the team rather than criticise Embiid. 'I thought it would be an interesting anecdote to show LeBron's leadership already on display in Philly,' he explained.

Breen also acknowledged that he could not explain why his source had provided the information, but accepted James' denial. '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.

Breen Regrets the Attention Placed on Joel Embiid

Breen also admitted that identifying Embiid had contributed to the story's wider impact. While the broadcaster considered the player's identity irrelevant to his original point, he recognised that involving a high-profile star had made the allegation considerably more newsworthy.

'For me, the fact that the teammate was Joel was meaningless,' Breen said. 'In hindsight, I should have realized the fact that it was Joel is what made it a story.' He added that he had always been a major admirer of Embiid and felt awful that his comments had shifted the spotlight towards the centre in a negative way.

Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse also pushed back against the suggestion that Embiid had been causing problems, describing the centre as having been excellent and in good shape during the team's preparations.

The controversy revived memories of earlier reports about Embiid's punctuality, including criticism from teammate Tyrese Maxey during the 2024–25 season. However, those previous reports do not establish that the latest allegation was accurate.

For Breen, the episode became a reminder that trusting a source is not the same as verifying a claim. His apology acknowledged the consequences of repeating an unconfirmed story, particularly when it involves prominent athletes and the dynamics of a new team.