Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is not on the best of terms with the organization. In the latest report by Sam Amick of The Athletic, it was revealed that Embiid is “frustrated” with how he’s been used on the basketball court.
“According to the team and league sources, Maxey highlighted the need for Embiid to set a better example as a leader on a day-to-day basis while emphasizing the importance of timeliness. The message, in essence, was that everything within their program starts with the big man and that he simply must be better when it comes to his leadership. Embiid, league and team sources say, heard the message while also expressing a lack of clarity and occasional frustration about how he is being used on the court.”
Embiid, 30, has been loyal to the 76ers since 2014 but he’s still trying to make his first Finals appearance. The 8-year veteran has emerged as one of the best players in the game with career averages of 27.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game on 50.3% shooting.
It’s been a miserable season for the 76ers, who are currently 14th in the East at 2-11. Things finally reached a breaking point this week, when Kyle Lowry pulled the team together for an all-inclusive team meeting. He began by trying to inspire his teammates and rally them to a solution. Then, Tyrese Maxey took matters into his own hands and called out the big man himself (Joel Embiid). Maxey exposed Joel for his habitual tardiness and called on him to be a better leader for their team by showing up when he was supposed to.
With just three games played this season (and a career-low scoring average of 14.7 points per game), Embiid has not been playing up to his standards. To make matters worse, he won’t even show up on time during the occasions when he can attend. The result has been a complete mess on the court as Paul George struggles to fit in and the 76ers slide further and further down the standings.
To make matters worse, Embiid and the 76ers do not see eye-to-eye on how he’s being utilized on the floor. Specifically, Embiid cites a “lack of clarity” about his role which suggests that he may not be on the same page with head coach Nick Nurse.
In the past, the 76ers star has always found success doing his own thing and letting the team work around him but that doesn’t seem to be working right now and Joel is ready to try something else.
Despite getting a lot of time in isolation (his usual scoring method), the results have been abysmal with Embiid on the floor. Not only are the 76ers the worst shooting team in the NBA, but they also rank 29th in rebounding percentage.
Simply put, the offense is just not working right now no matter if Embiid is in or out of the lineup. Everything is wrong for the 76ers and unless they do something to change it soon, it could turn out to be another lost season for Joel Embiid and company.
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