While injuries were the main culprits for the Philadelphia 76ers’ collapse last season, their lack of cohesion on and off the floor certainly didn’t help. Philadelphia has seemingly addressed this throughout the offseason and aims to correct it. However, Shams Charania won’t let the past be the past.
Recently, Charania appeared on an ESPN program where he talked about the intricacies and fulfillment of his work as the NBA’s unrivaled top insider. But, he managed to anger the city of Philadelphia in the process. When discussing how he gathers information from his sources, Charania used Joel Embiid as an example.
The infamous team meeting
Last month, ESPN’s Dotun Akintoye wrote a thoughtful profile on Embiid where we were treated to more of a vulnerable side of him that seldom comes out. Within the article, Embiid stated that he knew the person who leaked the 76ers’ private meeting in the locker room last season. But, Charania, without saying it, claimed Embiid was bluffing: “I saw a quote from Joel Embiid saying ‘I know who the source is,’” Charania said. “I’d be stunned if he knew who that source was.
To refresh your memory, after a gruesome 106-89 loss to the Miami Heat, Philadelphia fell to 2-11 on the season. With motivation to get back on track, it held a closed-door meeting in the locker room where everyone was brutally honest. Most notably, Tyrese Maxey reportedly held Embiid accountable for being late to various team activities. Usually, these types of meetings are a private matter, but someone involved leaked this to Charania.
Everyone needs to move on
I’m not here to speculate who that source may be. It’s important for everyone involved to let any issues from last year remain artifacts from the past. From the outside looking in, culture, or lack thereof, has always been a question mark for the 76ers. Embiid’s stoic personality has led many people to believe he’s not the leader he should be as a franchise cornerstone. However, this notion has been debunked by the likes of Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe recently.
Regardless, Philadelphia’s vibes weren’t high last season and understandably so. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With Maxey, Edgecombe, Jared McCain, Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, and Johni Broome, the 76ers are compiling a stellar young core. Not only do they have great potential as on-court products, but they can also establish a much-needed culture shift.
Still, implementing a winning culture starts at the top. Embiid, Maxey, and George need to gel on and off the court to truly cement this new iteration of the 76ers. Winning fixes everything, so if Philadelphia can stay relatively healthy, it should be in for a bounce-back 2025-26 campaign.