If you paid close attention to the Joel Embiid era of the Philadelphia 76ers, you might've seen more drama than on Bravo TV. The stories with the Sixers are endless, and a new chapter begins this week when the 76ers face the Boston Celtics, delivering the NBA its first look at Jaylen Brown versus Jayson Tatum.
Months after the shocking blockbuster trade between the two rivals, which broke up Brown and Tatum, the two are clearly not on solid terms. It's not beef, according to Brown. But he made it clear that he doesn't want to speak to Tatum on Tuesday night. It's a situation that feels quite similar to the Sixers' Joel Embiid-James Harden saga.
The duo worked
Joel Embiid and James Harden had a strong on-court bond. The star big man was the league's MVP, with Harden setting him up. They didn't deliver Philadelphia a title, but their time together was short-lived, unlike Brown and Tatum.
Jaylen Brown spent the last ten years with the Celtics, and Tatum was around for most of it. It took them a while, but they ultimately won the NBA Finals as a duo. Despite finding the highest level of success in the game as a team, Tatum and Brown still fell out in the end.
The fallout
Harden was frustrated with former 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey. When the former MVP guard publicly called Morey a liar in front of a crowd and cameras during the 2023 offseason, nobody could guess that Harden had any issues with Embiid.
Joel Embiid would get asked about Harden's future, and he would tell the basketball world that he hopes to stay teammates with Harden. It's similar to Tatum's approach to questions regarding Brown this year. Anytime the Celtics forward is asked about Brown, Tatum shares nothing but compliments for his former co-star. As the veteran reporter David Aldridge suggested on the NBA Insiders podcast, it's easy to be the one to take the high road when you don't feel slighted by your team, and you're not packing up and leaving town.
After Harden forced his way to the Los Angeles Clippers, he returned to Philadelphia to play the Sixers for the first time in March 2024. Embiid didn't play, but Harden was asked whether he stayed in communication with the big man. Nearly cutting off the reporter asking, Harden made it clear he wasn't on speaking terms with Embiid--and that was that.
Embiid later addressed the situation in July 2025, confirming they still weren't on talking terms. Embiid could only speculate that Harden was frustrated because the guard "probably believed" Embiid had something to do with the Sixers refusing to give him the deal he desired and claimed they promised. Harden never addressed it, but it felt like his frustrations weren't about what Embiid did do--rather what he didn't do.
Harden knew Morey as well as anybody. Dating back to their Houston Rockets days, Harden learned that as the face of the team, he had the power to influence roster decisions. If he wanted a player to stay, he could voice that, and Morey would make it work.
Harden had some level of influence in Philadelphia, but Embiid replaced him as Morey's golden player. If I had to guess, Harden expected Embiid to make sure Morey knew that the star big man wanted Harden to remain on the roster long-term. While Embiid publicly expressed interest in continuing to play alongside Harden, he always made it clear that he wouldn't try to influence personnel decisions. That's up to the front office. Harden probably knows that more could be done, and Embiid chose to stay out of it.
The situation in Boston feels very similar. Are we really supposed to believe that Tatum was as shocked as everybody else that Brown was moved? If the veteran forward spoke up to the front office behind the scenes and expressed a desire to keep the duo of Brown and Tatum alive, then the Celtics would still pull the trigger on a deal to send Brown to their division rival? Again, I don't believe Tatum went to Brad Stevens and said, "him or me," but if the face of the franchise says they want to keep playing with a specific player, most front offices would grant that wish. It's likely about what Tatum didn't do. Brown might see it the same way.
What we learned from Embiid and Harden
Embiid and Harden's split might not have been on the same level as Brown and Tatum due to the fact that they didn't have more than two full seasons playing together. Therefore, Brown and Tatum's situation might not get fully resolved for longer.
But if there is one thing we learned from Embiid and Harden--or even Embiid and Ben Simmons--it's that these ex-teammate rough patches can smooth out over time. Embiid and Harden eventually linked for a positive on-court exchange following a game last season. This year, Embiid told the media that they are "great."
Brown might not have any desire to speak to Tatum on Tuesday, but that doesn't mean that will stay the case long-term. The two stars have to get through this awkward phase before anything is repaired.
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