Paul George expressed his disbelief and frustration over the leak of a recent Philadelphia 76ers team meeting during his latest episode of “Podcast P with Paul George”. The veteran forward spoke candidly about how the internal discussion, intended to address the team’s struggles, became public knowledge and turned into a media spectacle.
“I don’t know how the f**k Shams got that story or how that even leaked. The whole meeting, that’s normal in the NBA. Teams go through that. I’ve been on multiple teams where we’ll at some point have a meeting and a check-in if things aren’t going right.”
“It was positive conversation. It was healthy conversations. We’re a team that cares, a team that naturally cares about what’s going on with their team. They’re going to have sit downs. They’re going to discuss how can we get back on track.”
Paul George & Reggie Jackson detail the Sixers team meeting after Monday's loss to Miami.@MetaQuestVR #MetaPartner pic.twitter.com/HLRUzg9bFp
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) November 21, 2024
The meeting in question came after a disheartening 106-89 loss to the Miami Heat, during which the 76ers blew a 19-point lead. According to reports, Tyrese Maxey used the opportunity to call out Joel Embiid for his tardiness to team activities, a move that was seen as a leadership step for the young guard. However, what should have remained a private moment of accountability and team bonding turned into a public controversy when details were leaked to the media.
Maxey, Embiid, and even head coach Nick Nurse were all forced to address the situation publicly. Maxey downplayed the drama, calling the meeting “positive” and emphasizing his intent to step up as a leader. Embiid, however, was less forgiving, reportedly expressing anger over the breach of trust, labeling the person responsible for the leak a “piece of s***.”
For the Sixers, such a meeting was particularly timely given their disastrous 2-12 start to the season—currently the worst record in the league.
The Sixers entered the season with championship aspirations, boasting a roster that includes Embiid, the former MVP, rising star Maxey, and seasoned veteran George, along with a strong supporting cast. Yet injuries have decimated their lineup: Embiid has played only four games, Maxey has appeared in eight, and George—now sidelined again with an injury—has also played just eight games.
The impact of these injuries has been profound. Joel Embiid, typically one of the most dominant players in the league, is averaging career-low numbers: 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on an uncharacteristic 37.9% shooting from the field and just 16.7% from three-point range. This is a stark contrast to his MVP season in 2022-23, where he averaged 34.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and shot 54.8% from the field.
While the injuries provide some explanation for the poor start, the team’s inability to meet even modest expectations has raised alarms. George’s frustration with the leak underscores the broader issues facing the Sixers: trust, focus, and execution. As the season progresses, the 76ers will need to not only heal physically but also rebuild their internal cohesion if they hope to salvage what has so far been a nightmare season.
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