The Philadelphia 76ers have now lost four consecutive games, including a 17-point defeat to the Miami Heat last night. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the team held a meeting following their disappointing 2-11 start to the season. Expectations were high that the addition of Paul George would elevate the Sixers to the second-best team in the Eastern Conference alongside a healthy Joel Embiid.
Unfortunately, Embiid has not been healthy to start the season, and the Sixers have yet to play a game with the trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey in the lineup. Charania also reported that All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey confronted Embiid during the meeting, accusing him of being “late for everything” and pointing out how it was negatively impacting the team.
The two stars have a relationship that allows for open criticism, but tension appears to be rising. At the start of the season, Embiid hinted at not playing back-to-back games, while Maxey’s strong performances have continued to stand out. Leadership, performance on the court, and professionalism determine who leads in the locker room, raising the question: Is Embiid still the top dog in this Sixers squad?
Players also expressed their concerns to head coach Nick Nurse, telling him they wanted more demanding coaching. Embiid mentioned that at times, he is unsure of the team’s offensive direction. With so many questions hanging over the team, the only way to silence the noise is to start winning.
A road victory against an injury-plagued Memphis squad could potentially spark a winning streak as the Sixers head into a Thanksgiving homestand. During this stretch, they will face the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets—all of which are winnable games.
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