Joel Embiid has finally returned to the Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup after a devastating period of recurring injuries that have hindered his ability to feature for the franchise. However, despite the star center admitting to his joy at being back on the court, there are glaring differences from previous campaigns, in which the Sixers suffered heavily without Embiid on the court.
Could a changing of the guard be occurring in Philadelphia?
For as long as 76ers fans can remember, non-Embiid minutes were a time of pain and suffering, with endless leads dissipating and any form of momentum sinking like the Titanic. Nevertheless, in Philadelphia's first two games of the season, the young core of the franchise has proven that this weakness could be a problem of the past.
Philadelphia's talented backcourt is thriving
During the 76ers' two regular-season games so far, with Embiid on the floor, the team has registered a point differential of -16 and -2, respectively. Of course, the 2023 Most Valuable Player is still regaining his match fitness and should not be judged too severely because of these statistics, but it does highlight the Sixers' impressive backcourt rotation.
Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes have so far proven to be one of the deadliest guard rotations in the Eastern Conference, and arguably, the entire NBA. Each player possesses dangerous scoring ability while contributing to other vital areas of the game plan.
After his mind-blowing Philadelphia debut -- recording 34 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal -- Edgecombe has showcased his versatility in the 76ers' latest 121-125 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The rookie star shifted his talents to playmaking as he dished out eight assists for his teammates to aid the Sixers in continuing their perfect start to the campaign.
In addition, Maxey is thriving in a leadership role while Embiid concentrates on ramping up his performance level. Maxey is averaging a whopping 34 points and 7.5 assists over two games and scored 40 points in Philadelphia's nail-biting 117-116 triumph over the Boston Celtics.
A question mark loomed over Grimes and his ability to replicate his stunning 2024-25 form for the 76ers when playing a less prominent role in the rotation. The Sixers' victory over the Hornets demonstrated that this should not be an issue for the franchise. Grimes recorded 24 points and sank a clutch three-point attempt at the dying embers of the game to propel his teammates to their second win of the year.
One thing is for sure: Joel Embiid should not be criticised under any circumstances, as his teammates are currently performing at a higher level when he is not on the floor. However, it does point towards the growing influece that Philadelphia's young core can have during his absence, and we could now be looking at a 76ers roster that will not heavily rely on Embiid to claim a spot in the postseason.