Joel Embiid is cooked and 4 other wild overreactions to the 76ers' abysmal start

The Philadelphia 76ers won just four of their first 18 games. They sit 14th in the Eastern Conference but have been saved by the conference's struggles. Philly is just three games out of tenth and five back of sixth. Injuries have played a massive role in their slow start, but the Sixers may face a much worse future.

Joel Embiid has played in four games and struggled when on the floor. Paul George is shooting under 40 percent from the field after signing a max contract this offseason. Tyrese Maxey has struggled, and the 76ers additions have virtually all flopped. Philly does not have a win against a team above .500 and looks far from the title contender many predicted in the offseason.

The regular season is more than 20 percent in the books, and it will soon be time to panic. Right now, all fans can do is overreact. The Sixers must make changes, but these storylines are worth monitoring as the franchise attempts to get back on track.

5. 76ers have the worst offense

The worst offense in the NBA in 2024 had a 106.8 rating, so far Philadelphia sits at 105.8. They are 28th as the tanking Wizards and injury-riddled Pelicans are worse. All three have been awful to start the season. Maxey is the only Sixer averaging over 20 points per game. They have five rotation players shooting under 40 percent from the field and six below 30 percent from three.

Head coach Nick Nurse is not exactly energizing the units and only the Pelicans have a worse effective field goal percentage. Philly is 27th in pace and cannot just rely on their Big Three to pull them out of it.

Embiid and George should be better. PG hasn’t averaged under 20 points per game since 2015 and the former MVP has never done it. They will improve, and Jared McCain’s breakout gives the 76ers more offensive punch. Do not expect them to be an elite offense as many predicted, but Philadelphia should be middle of the pack.

4. Caleb Martin is only good on the Heat

Martin broke out in Miami and played a key role in them reaching the 2023 NBA Finals. He turned down a five-year deal worth $65 million this offseason to test free agency. He landed in Philadelphia on a four-year $32 million pact that many viewed as a bargain, but the 6’5 wing has struggled so far.

Martin averages 9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 32.1 minutes per game, but is shooting just 41.2 percent from the field and 30.4 percent on his threes. Those are his lowest percentages since his 2021 season with the Hornets. More troubling is that the Sixers have a negative-12.4 net rating with him on the floor.

Things should improve when the 76ers get healthy, but fans saw Martin struggle in Charlotte to begin his career. Role players need the right fit, which makes this is a bit concerning. His production is worth watching, and Daryl Morey may be forced to make a move if his play does not improve.

3. Tyrese Maxey cannot be number 1 option

The All-Star guard was asked to carry the 76ers with Embiid and George sidelined to begin the season. They went 1-4 in those games with Maxey averaging nearly 30 points per game, but shooting just 38.5 percent from the field. He was more efficient in the three games since without his two co-stars, but the Sixers went 1-2 to fall to 2-6 on the season with Maxey as the lone star.

The 24-year-old is putting up monster numbers but has struggled with his efficiency. That should not be surprising with so many new players and a revolving cast around him. Maxey will be better and is an elite talent. Expect him to make multiple All-Star appearances and prove he can be the number-one option when needed.

2. 76ers will regret signing Paul George

PG came to Philadelphia on a four-year max contract after the Clippers were only willing to offer three seasons. The 34-year-old wanted the massive payday, especially with his lengthy injury history. The Sixers got a third star, but George has not offered that production so far.

He averages 14.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.1 steals in 28.7 minutes per game on awful efficiency. George is shooting 37.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent on his threes after nine appearances.

This is a complete unknown. Things have been rough, and George has played more than 56 regular season games just once since 2020. If PG misses time when the games matter most, the 76ers may regret signing him. His production will improve, but the question marks remain.

1. Joel Embiid is fading

This could be the harshest reality for Sixers fans. Embiid may never be the same player, and the franchise must manage his knees moving forward. He cannot play 35 minutes every game and be counted upon for a full season.

In four games, the Sixers have a negative 13.1 net rating with Embiid on the floor. He looked slow and far from the MVP fans remember. The seven-time All-Star shot 37.9 percent from the field and made just three 3-pointers. It is unbelievable that he still put up 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 block per game as far from the prime version.

Embiid has missed the last four games, and it is impossible to predict what he will look like when he returns. Was the 30-year-old just out of shape? Did a knee injury slow him down? Is this the new Embiid? The Sixers lost all four games he appeared in, and there were problems everywhere. Hopefully, the seven-footer comes back fully healthy, but this is worrying.

The Philadelphia 76ers should tank to keep their top-six protected pick in 2025 if fans saw the best possible Joel Embiid. They believe they can compete with anyone, but that only happens with a superstar in the middle.

Embiid’s health will continue to be a story and is the deciding factor in this team’s success. So far, these overreactions look correct. If that holds, the 76ers won’t even make the playoffs in what will be one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory.