NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking points from the Dallas Mavericks Vs Philadelphia 76ers match-up

#1 76ers' questionable chemistry with Butler

Simmons (left), Embiid (centre) and Butler (right) of the Philadelphia 76ers — Simmons (left), Embiid (

It is less than two months that Jimmy Butler was traded from Minnesota to Philadelphia and the tensions around the chemistry and his role on the 76ers team are being voiced by the four-time All-Star.

A report published on Saturday said Butler recently challenged coach Brett Brown and wants to be utilised differently in the offensive scheme. It also mentioned that he had a heated interaction with the 76ers' head coach during a recent film session.

Butler prefers to be the centre of a pick-and-roll system but the team already features two high-usage stars, Embiid, who is a dominant inside scorer, and Simmons who is a gifted play-maker but a non-shooter.

Butler was absent for any dialogue before the game and didn't play his second consecutive game because of respiratory infection. While head coach Brown dismissed the report and tried extinguishing the situation. Brown said:

“As I’ve said to the team a moment ago, I’ve had many meetings with Jimmy. In the film session, I didn’t think it went over the line. If it did, I would’ve addressed it, I didn’t feel like any of that crossed the line. He’s vocal. He’s all in and he has opinions, but it’s instigated by me. None of this should surprise anybody. He’s got opinions. He wants to be heard. And he should be heard.”

After a win against Pistons early in December, Embiid had similarly questioned and complained about his role on the team with the addition of Butler. He was asked to space the floor to help Butler and Simmons.

As the NBA looks on to the 76ers situation, it looks like more than ever that they have to "Trust the Process". With a closely bonded big-3 and a deep bench, the Sixers can challenge any team in the East to a competitive playoff series but they have to work all this out as the season progresses.