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After LeBron James refuted a story shared during Monday's preseason opener about a training camp interaction with new Philadelphia 76ers teammate Joel Embiid, longtime play-by-play announcer Mike Breen apologized Wednesday for the stir that it caused. "I'm so disappointed how the story was interpreted," Breen, who broadcast the Sixers' game against the New York Knicks for MSG Networks, told ESPN. "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."
Breen, who also calls games for ESPN and ABC, told ESPN the story was told to him by "someone I trust" and he wanted to share it with viewers to show positive team dynamics that were already developing. "I thought it would be an interesting anecdote to show LeBron's leadership already on display in Philly," he said. "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."
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse joined LeBron James in rebutting a recent story that James admonished star center Joel Embiid for being late to practice. “I’m just surprised by what I was told before, what you guys are asking me about, because he’s been excellent,” Nurse said about Embiid. “He’s in great shape; he’s been on the practice floor. He’s worked very hard, and he’s looked really great. So it just surprises me that something like that came out right now.”
When asked what increased scrutiny would be like for his team, Nurse said he expected outside noise, given the star-studded nature of the roster. He said he and the organization have met to discuss what to expect and how they’ll handle the spotlight. “We understand. We’ve had meetings, and we’ve talked about, ‘Yes, there’ll be outside noise, but it’s up to us, I think, to manage it.’ I mean, why have I not heard about (Breen’s report)?"
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During the Knicks’ broadcast of Monday’s preseason game against the 76ers, play-by-play announcer Mike Breen said, “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.” James denied the report on social media Tuesday. “He ain’t been late so stop the lies,” James wrote in a post shared on his Instagram stories account.
According to commentator Mike Breen, LeBron James called out Joel Embiid after he showed up a couple of minutes late to one of the Sixers' practices. "They are, they're raving about how he's been so far. Obviously, it's only a week of camp. But I had somebody tell me before the game that they were out ready to practice and Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple minutes late. LeBron let him hear it," Breen said during the 76ers-Knicks broadcast.
The Knicks are the toast of the sports world, with numerous athletes expressing their respect, admiration, and gratitude to the team. Among them is NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, who even created, along with rapper Cory Gunz, a two-minute music video using AI to celebrate New York's historic triumph. It also showed Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and ESPN commentator Mike Breen. Was the singer supposed to be Alicia Keys?
Legion Hoops: Mike Breen: "I feel so happy for the fans. I've been a fan since I was about seven years old. I've been a Knick broadcaster for more than half my life. So I've been around Knicks fans forever... For them to have a night like this is wonderful." (@WPIX)
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One day, he walked into WFUV, the college’s radio station, and a fellow student named Michael Kay was holding court. Breen introduced himself to his colorful classmate. “He was like the Pied Piper,” Breen said. “He had eight or nine guys around him, and he introduced me to all his buddies. And now I went from having no friends to 10 friends. After that day, I felt comfortable. I credit him all the time because there is a good chance I wouldn’t have gone back the next day. He’s the one that saved me.” Kay is the longtime TV voice of the New York Yankees and an ESPN New York radio afternoon talk show host.
He has now worked with another Knick legend, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, for decades as his broadcast partner. Breen said the 81-year-old Frazier — known to today’s Knicks fans not only for his sartorial splendor but his signature slang, like “dishing and swishing” — is rejuvenated by Jalen Brunson and company. “I was worried he was going to retire because he was so sick of the bad play,” Breen said. “Now, I think he wants to keep going year after year.”
One of them will even be in the broadcast booth. ESPN’s Mike Breen will be the play-by-play man for his record-extending 21st straight NBA Finals this year. And for the first time, the New York native will be calling the team he grew up rooting for in the championship round. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say there are emotions,” Breen acknowledged to NBC News this week. In addition to his work for ESPN, Breen has called Knicks games locally for over 30 years. He began as the team’s radio announcer in 1991, and after a brief stint as the lead play-by-play man later that decade, he took over the position for good in 2004.
In addition to his work for ESPN, Breen has called Knicks games locally for over 30 years. He began as the team’s radio announcer in 1991, and after a brief stint as the lead play-by-play man later that decade, he took over the position for good in 2004. “It’s not just that I was a Knick fan since I was a kid, but I’ve been broadcasting Knick games for over half my life,” Breen said. “So, you know, when you see a team have a chance to do something they haven’t done forever, there’s certainly emotions there.”