Joel Embiid talks about the toxic environment that has surrounded the team all season
Joel Embiid in a game with the Sixers.AP
The Philadelphia 76ers have had their second-worst season since Joel Embiid debuted in 2016. With just 24 wins in 82 games, they finished 13th in the Eastern Conference. Only the 2016-17 campaign was worse, when they posted a 28-54 record, which was Embiid’s debut season, when he was only able to play 31 games before tearing his meniscus and missing the rest of the season.
This past season was also marked by injuries. Embiid played just 19 games and Paul George 41. The physical problems were compounded by a toxic atmosphere in the locker room, which had been brewing since the early stages of the season. After a poor start of 2-11, a players’ meeting was held, led by veteran Kyle Lowry, to address internal issues such as discipline and commitment. What was supposed to be a private space to resolve tensions ended up being leaked to the pressand that’s where the real problems began.
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According to journalist Shams Charania, during that meeting Tyrese Maxey reportedly reprimanded Embiid for repeatedly being late. The Cameroonian center’s reaction was swift, calling the leaker a “real piece of shit” and denouncing the violation of the group’s privacy, something Paul George wholeheartedly agreed with.
Months later, in an interview with Jacob Moreno (TTN Sports), Embiid has spoken openly about this episode. He claims he knows for sure who was responsible for leaking the meeting, but refuses to name names. “The past is the past,” he says, although he adds: “It’s hard to be around someone who is capable of doing that. Once you lose trust, you can’t expect to be involved in a team meeting again.”
Although he has not publicly identified the culprit, he hints that this person could still be part of the team. The tension in the dressing room is palpable and the lack of trust between the players threatens to undermine any attempt at rebuilding before it even begins.
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Embiid’s broken relationship with Harden
Another emotional blow for Embiid in recent years has been the complete breakdown of his relationship with James Harden. In an interview with Dotun Akintoye (ESPN), the center confessed that Harden doesn’t even talk to him anymore, something that hurts him deeply
During the 2022-23 season, Embiid and Harden formed one of the most powerful duos in the league. They led the 76ers to 54 wins, with Embiid winning MVP and the scoring title, while Harden led the league in assists.
However, it all fell apart in the summer of 2023. Harden felt betrayed by general manager Daryl Morey, who, according to the point guard, did not keep his promise of a maximum contract extension. Harden refused to play, strained his relationship with management and ended up being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers after a long standoff that wore the team down and left a deep wound in the locker room.
It was a conflict that did not directly involve Embiid, but the center was emotionally dragged into the whole situation. “It hurts when you feel like you didn’t do anything wrong. When you feel like you have a close relationship with someone and all of a sudden you lose it, it’s very hard to take,” he confessed.
