Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Cracks in Philadelphia 76ers’ locker room? Tyrese Maxey calls for better leadership from Joel Embiid amid woeful run

The veteran guard has a career-low scoring average of 14.7 points per game this season.

Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia 76ers are in a big mess after posting a miserable 2-11 record this season. The Sixers lost to the Miami Heat on Monday night and they called for a team meeting immediately after the game. The story goes further and a famous media outlet reported that Joel Embiid has been frustrated at times with how he’s been used on the basketball court.

Joel Embiid has reportedly been frustrated at times with how he’s been used on the basketball court, per @TheAthletic

“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… pic.twitter.com/d1EWWuQ2E1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 19, 2024

Embiid cites a “lack of clarity” about his role

The fresh report by Sam Amick of The Athletic, Joel Embiid is not having good terms with his franchise. The Sixers want the 30-year-old star to step up and set an example for being a senior player. Tyrese Maxey calls for better leadership from Joel Embiid. However, reports claimed that the veteran guard didn’t respond and expressed a lack of clarity.

“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 cites a “lack of clarity” about his role and it feels like he is not on the same page with Nick Nurse. There is a complete mess on the court and Embiid’s situation harmed Paul George who is struggling to fit in. Nick Nurse is also facing criticism and had a team meeting just after the game.

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Will it be another lost season for the 76ers or Embiid step up?

Joel Embiid has been playing for the Sixers since 2014 and become the most important player in the side. The veteran has an average of 27.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game on 50.3% shooting. This season, the 76ers are dealing with a poor run of form and are standing at 14th in the Eastern Conference. Embiid’s performance was also on the radar after not attempting a single free throw against Miami Heat.

Joel Embiid has struggled with the injury this season and appeared in three games. He made his first appearance this month but looked off the colours. The veteran guard has a career-low scoring average of 14.7 points per game this season. This is lower than the standard of Joel Embiid and the last game was horrible.

The Philadelphia 76ers are struggling in all aspects of the game. The Sixers are 29th in rebounding performance and are the worst shooting side in the NBA. Nick Nurse’s side is now averaging 103.3 per game, the worst among all teams. The offense is clearly not working for the Sixers and it cannot be improved by Joel alone. If they fail to solve their issues, it could be another disappointing season for Joel Embiid and Sixers.

Joel Embiid

NBA 2024-25

Nick Nurse

Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese Maxey

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.