NBA 2018-19: 5 Takeaways from week 9 

#4 The Philadelphia 76ers have a chemistry problem

Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets

General manager Elton Brand needed to be diligent in figuring out how Jimmy Butler would fit in on his team. The 76ers traded a lot of depth to have a loaded starting five and its hurting more than just their rotation. Joel Embiid has been griping recently about how he’s been used since the arrival of Jimmy Butler.

“I haven’t been myself lately,” said Embiid, who was held out of Friday’s game against the Pistons by coach Brett Brown. “I think it’s mainly because of the way I’ve been used, which is I’m being used as a spacer, I guess, a stretch five, which I’m only shooting [29] percent" from three-point range.

“But it seems like the past couple games, like with the way I play, our setup, [Brown] always has me starting on the perimeter … and it just really frustrates me. My body feels great, and it’s just I haven’t been playing well.”

By adding Butler, the 76ers added a premier scorer who needs shots. Both he and Simmons are creators off of the dribble so their teammates have become catch and shoot options which clearly is not the best use of Embiid's size and strengths on the floor.

After starting 7-3 with Butler the 76ers have lost two games straight. Jimmy Butler also strained his groin in a victory over the Pistons on Monday night.

However, with Butler out of the lineup Embiid had 6 points and 2 rebounds in 29 minutes of play against the Pacers Friday night. Embiid did have a 33 point, 17 rebound and 6 assist performance against the Nets on December 12, 2018 in a losing effort against the Nets. The 76ers will play Sunday afternoon against the Cavaliers.