Mired in a dismal 2-11 start that has them dead last in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers held a much-needed team meeting following Monday night’s dispiriting 106-89 loss to the Miami Heat. With their expensive star trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey yet to even play a single game together, the early season struggles have already reached a boiling point.
The meeting, called by veteran guard Kyle Lowry in the aftermath of their fourth consecutive loss, was a heart-to-heart session and urgent call to action. According to sources briefed on the meeting, both players and coaches took ownership of the poor start and held each other accountable.
Maxey Challenges Embiid’s Tardiness
In a notable exchange, rising star guard Tyrese Maxey directly challenged Joel Embiid, the team’s cornerstone and former league MVP, about his persistent lateness to team activities. Sources say Maxey called out Embiid for being late “for everything” and detailed how his tardiness was negatively impacting the locker room culture, from his fellow players to the coaching staff.
“Tyrese loves Big Fella’, but this is the elephant in the room,” a source involved in the meeting told ESPN.
Maxey and Embiid are known to have a close friendship and have previously held each other accountable, but the public challenging of the team’s star player by the 22-year-old guard demonstrates the severity of the situation in Philadelphia. Embiid, per sources, accepted the criticism and took responsibility during the meeting.
Players Want More Coaching, Nurse Wants More Effort
The players also had a message for head coach Nick Nurse and his staff – they want to be coached harder and held to a higher standard. In return, the coaching staff conveyed that they need to see more purposeful practice habits and attention to detail from the roster.
Embiid admitted to having some confusion about what the team is trying to execute on the court at times. The star center, who was listed as doubtful for most of Monday with an illness, was not present for the majority of the gameday until showing up shortly before tipoff.
Maxey’s Return Could Provide a Spark
There is some optimism on the horizon, as Maxey, sidelined since November 7th with a hamstring strain, is expected to make his return this week against either the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday or versus the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. The third-year guard’s leadership, highly regarded by many in the Sixers organization, could provide a much-needed spark.
Pressure Building After Offseason Shakeup
Philadelphia made dramatic changes to the roster after last season’s first round playoff exit, bringing in perennial All-Star Paul George on a massive 4-year, $212M contract to pair with Embiid and Maxey, who inked his own 5-year, $204M extension hours later.
The 76ers had high expectations entering the season, with an over/under win total set at 51.5 and ESPN’s BPI ranking them 3rd in preseason projections. But the trio of Embiid, George and Maxey have yet to even set foot on the court together with a plethora of ill-timed injuries and Embiid beginning the year on the sideline for knee management followed by a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter.
As the pressure mounts in Philadelphia with each passing loss, Monday’s team meeting could prove to be a pivotal moment in a season teetering on the brink before Thanksgiving. The 76ers will now look to their star pairing of Embiid and George to right the ship, with the impending return of Maxey’s infectious energy and leadership providing a potential catalyst to finally turn the corner. But in a perennially loaded Eastern Conference, the clock is already ticking on the 76ers’ season of great expectations.
