Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has spent his career carrying an almost unrivaled burden. Tasked with anchoring the defense and acting as a hub on offense whose volume as a scorer and even playmaker borders on unmatched, Embiid has endured an immeasurable amount of wear and tear.
After years of carrying a monumental burden, Embiid's wish has finally been granted for the type of support that can alleviate a significant amount of pressure from him.
Embiid played just 58 games between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Those unfortunate and injury-plagued campaigns followed a steady stream of years in which he was forced to shoulder an extraordinary workload, particularly on the offensive end of the floor.
Ahead of the 2025-26 regular season, Embiid spoke about the influx of athletes on the 76ers' roster and how they can simplify the game for him.
Embiid on the thinking behind his hit-ahead passes tonight: “I see all these guys. I’m here to help out. According to a lot of your peers, I’m not even a top 100 basketball player in this league. So I guess I just gotta fit in and see where I can help the team win.” pic.twitter.com/nb76QuWHPQ
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) October 18, 2025
For those who can't watch the video, Embiid said the following:
"We've got a bunch of athletes...Their job is to, if they don't get that the ball, they've got to run. My job is just trying to find them. In a way, that also kind of saves me because if we get early baskets and easy baskets, I won't have to run up and down. And then I can just let those guys push the pace, attack, and if we don't have anything I'm always trailing anyways. Then I can come in and we can get into the offense."
After two seasons of constant injuries, Embiid is finally surrounded with the athletes and playmakers who can generate easy offense that doesn't require him to endure as much wear and tear.
76ers surrounded Joel Embiid with players who can reduce wear and tear
Embiid will likely resume his duties as a high-volume player who's tasked with scoring and distributing at star-caliber levels. He's recorded a usage rate of 31.5 or higher in each of his nine playing seasons, exceeding 35.2 in each of the four between 2020-21 and 2023-24.
After playing just 19 games in an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign, Embiid is inevitably looking for ways to endure less wear-and-tear in 2025-26—a goal he's long been in pursuit of achieving.
Thankfully, the 76ers have granted that wish by surrounding him with athletes and shooters who can create easy offense. That includes rookie wing VJ Edgecombe, who has earned rave reviews for his two-way potential and effortlessly explosive athleticism.
With the likes of Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr. pushing the pace, the 76ers should rank among the best in the NBA at generating points in transition.
Progress was already made in that regard as Philadelphia ranked in the top half of the NBA in fast break points per 100 possessions in 2024-25. The 76ers ranked No. 24 in catch-and-shoot three-point field goal percentage, but they may have improved in that area, as well.
Justin Edwards, Paul George, Grimes, Maxey, and Jared McCain all shot at least 35.8 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25, and should find even more efficiency with Embiid collapsing defenses.
With improved shooting and the athletes to get out in transition to secure easy points, Embiid's workload should decrease. He'll still be a high-volume player, but the 76ers won't depend on him for points as much as they'll be simply featuring him offensively.
The 76ers have built strong teams in the past, but after years of abnormally high usage rates and injuries, they've finally addressed Embiid's wish for the offense to not depend entirely on him.