The Philadelphia 76ers have been among the most consistent winning teams in the NBA since the latter part of the previous decade, winning 62.1 percent of their games since the 2017-18 season. That fact, however, has effectively been overshadowed by the franchise’s lack of meaningful success from year to year despite the club often bannering some of the most talented rosters in the league.
While the franchise has seen numerous front office turmoil and significant roster turnovers, one man has been a staple in the entire stream — Joel Embiid. The 2023 Most Valuable Player can be argued as one of, if not the most talented player to ever grace the team’s colors.
But frankly speaking, his amusing lack of perturbed sentiments and continued loyalty to the franchise in spite of all that has transpired has been taken for granted — by pundits, by the team itself, and most importantly, by the fans.
Joel Embiid could reach a boiling point for the 76ers and send them to a state of despair
Yesterday, Embiid was asked to clarify on his playing status ahead of their matchup with the Grizzlies, but before getting to the meat of the inquiry, he went ballistic on a certain member of the media accusing him of sabotaging the team by refusing to suit up for games.
If your body doesn't react well, and if your body tells you one thing . I've done it. From what I can tell you, I've broken my face twice, I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I have broken fingers. I still came back. When I see people say, 'He doesn't want to play,' I've done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that.
It’s been suspected that Embiid was zeroing in on a particular writer who aired that Embiid is purposely skipping games, used the 2024 Paris Olympics as a deflection, and that fans should redmand a refund for games without him in uniform, but he was not the only one who has been highly critical of the superstar.
Prominent league figures and analysts have all voiced out their displeasure about Embiid missing games — a tangent of utmost futility as they intentionally gloss over the fact that the 76ers are simply playing it smart after years of not being able to parade a healthy squad come playoff time. Mind you, it’s only been five games.
While the superstar center has confirmed that he won’t be making his season debut against Memphis just yet contrary to previous reports, that such overreactions have triggered him for once could be an impetus for him to do the unthinkably thinkable and eventually see a new abode.
And as evidenced by the first few games of the season, the 76ers cannot handle a future without Embiid. For as good as Tyrese Maxey is, he is a Robin at this point in time, and the franchise is not necessarily oozing with talented and potential building blocks for the future.