Following the Philadelphia 76ers’ disappointing 2-11 beginning to the 2024-25 basketball year, the squad convened a private assembly to address concerns directly and establish a positive path ahead.
Information regarding the discussions during that gathering was revealed the following day, when it came to light that Tyrese Maxey had questioned Joel Embiid about his repeated tardiness and failure to lead by example as the team’s prominent player. Embiid expressed his displeasure at the information becoming public, labeling whoever shared the details as a “real piece of shit” and pledging to uncover their identity.
In a report by Dotun Akintoye of ESPN released on Wednesday, it was revealed that Embiid is aware of who leaked the information. While he is unwilling to disclose the individual’s name, he emphasized that trust has been broken and that he will not participate in any future team meetings.
“I am aware of the source of the leak, but… what has happened has happened. The important thing is, it’s difficult to be around people who engage in such behavior,” Embiid stated. “This relates to the issue of trust. Once that boundary is crossed, you cannot anticipate my presence in any future team meetings. It simply will not occur.”
Akintoye inquired further as to whether the player in question remained on the team roster. While Embiid remained cautious, he acknowledged “the possibility of their continued presence.”
The article detailed numerous instances of the former MVP quickly erecting barriers with individuals who compromise his trust, and his hesitation to readily welcome them back. The individual responsible for divulging the team meeting information now finds themselves on the other side of that barrier. If this individual is a key member of the team, handling that relationship will present an additional challenge for coach Nick Nurse.
In general, Embiid’s connection with the Sixers organization represents a complex dynamic. Embiid understandably harbors skepticism regarding the management of his injuries throughout his tenure. Yet, he possesses a strong desire to fulfill the promise of his abilities for an organization that has placed significant expectations upon him. The addition of distrust at the locker room level, amidst pre-existing tensions with Sixers management, creates a less-than-ideal situation as all involved seek to progress and leave a challenging 2024-25 season behind them.
Philadelphia anticipates that Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George will manage to avoid injuries in the upcoming year, realizing the potential of their star power and propelling the Sixers to the forefront of a shifting Eastern Conference. The team is in dire need of a strong start to the season. If they fail to achieve this, they will need to devise strategies for rectifying the situation without Embiid’s involvement in any future private team discussions.
