Sixers: 5 things we learned at media day

The Philadelphia 76ers held Media Day 2022 at the team’s practice facility in Camden, NJ on Monday. It marked the beginning of training camp and the new NBA season, with Joel Embiid, James Harden, and the entire team present.

We heard from every player at the podium, as well as Doc Rivers and P.O.B.O Daryl Morey. Many questions were asked, some more pressing than others. In the end, we learned a fair amount about the team and how this group plans to approach the 2022-23 season.

Here are five major takeaways.

Sixers media day: P.J. Tucker and James Harden wanted to be here… two years ago

As the NBA investigates the Sixers for tampering with P.J. Tucker, the newly signed 38-year-old made a comment on Monday that’s sure to damage their case. According to Tucker, he and former Rockets teammate James Harden wanted to team up in Philadelphia two years ago. Earlier in the press session, Joel Embiid thanked Harden for making the addition possible with his new contract. So, yeah, the Sixers might have tampered.

What’s important, of course, is that P.J. Tucker did in fact sign with the Sixers. He’s locked in for the next three years and is widely expected to join Embiid and Harden in the starting five. We have heard Harden suggest that he wanted to come to Philly originally — before the Brooklyn trade — so it’s interesting to hear Tucker echo the sentiment. It’s a testament to the organization and the city, but frankly, it’s mostly a testament to Embiid. People want to play with him.