Senior NBA writer for The Athletic Sam Amick appeared as a guest on “Run It Back” and addressed Joel Embiid’s situation with the Philadelphia 76ers. On Nov. 18, the Sixers held a team meeting following their 106-89 loss against the Miami Heat. Details about their intervention were leaked, including claims that All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey allegedly challenged Embiid.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report on the team meeting. According to his report, Maxey challenged the 2023 MVP for his habit of being late “for everything.”
Amick confirmed Embiid‘s habit of being late, saying his “professionalism has been questioned.
“I knew that his professionalism had been questioned consistently,” Amick said. “Around the league and within the organization. I was a little surprised by — the second the top was blown off this story. Then, all of a sudden… the narrative instantly became like, ‘Oh, you and the media, y’all have been way too soft on him and this has been going on forever’.”
“That contrast between the discussion before and the discussion after was pretty great. I’m still not sure what my take is on how much folks are piling on, versus what’s really been the case. But you know the weight is something that within the Sixers, that has been a concern for a long time. It’s that kind of ‘first to the gym’ mentality that he has not necessarily always had.”
“I knew his professionalism had been questioned consistently.”
Sam Amick on Joel Embiid’s reputation.@MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/U34vQT4kyj
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) November 25, 2024
All eyes are on Embiid and the Sixers following the revelation of the team’s situation behind the scenes. Philly has battled numerous setbacks with their star’s injuries, including the lingering knee issues of the seven-time All-Star. The team has a 3-13 record, making them the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference standings.
A former teammate of Joel Embiid revealed that the Sixers star’s real habits
Joel Embiid’s former teammate Patrick Beverley added his perspective to the Sixers star’s story. With his professionalism in question, Beverley revealed the five-time All-NBA has always been late to games.
“You’re not on time, it can rub off on some people—but if you’re not on time and you are giving a motherf****r 70 [points]?” Beverley said. “There have been times when Joel wasn’t on time to f*****g practice, and you know me, I was like, “Come on, Jo. Come on, man. What’s up, G? Come on, Jo. Be better, Jo. Be great, Jo. Be great’.”
“His response would be like, ‘What the f**k, man? You get me out of bed, I’m f*****g an hour and a half away, I had to get up two hours before.’ Everyone doesn’t live in the same spots, you know what I’m saying? Like, what are we gonna do? Give me the ball, and that same night, he had 50, and we won.”
Pat Bev said Joel Embiid once showed up late then dropped 50 points in a Sixers win@patbev21 | @PardonMyTake pic.twitter.com/rJ9NNZ3xoA
— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) November 20, 2024
The moment Beverley was playing for Philly was during the 2023-24 season. Joel Embiid averaged 34.7 points and 11.0 rebounds in 39 games.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
