During the NBA offseason, it’s always difficult to separate reality from noise. Small sample sizes throw everything out of whack. So far in 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers have had a rather unusual summer. They were hoping to build around James Harden and Joel Embiid, an almost unbeatable pair on the floor, after falling in the second round for the sixth time in six seasons.
After James Harden’s trade talks were put on hold by the Sixers, fans found a unique way to channel their resentment. It was the reigning MVP who seemed like a logical culprit they could blame. Media platform X was flooded with fans’ hatred towards Embiid and his bad reputation for keeping his teammates with him and the team.
We gotta have a discussion about how stars don’t wanna play with Embiid https://t.co/2ne555iaUh
— 🏀 (@VelocityDimes) August 13, 2023
A Joel Embiid fan page took to Twitter, saying, “Dawg Embiid deadass has to deal with both his co-star teammates sitting out training camps in the middle of his prime; shit gotta be so frustrating”. Little did they know that their attempt to sympathize with the Embiid situation would backfire so badly. Fans came up with all kinds of comments to counter the narrative.
We gotta have a discussion about how stars don’t wanna play with Embiid https://t.co/2ne555iaUh
— 🏀 (@VelocityDimes) August 13, 2023
They were quick to bring back instances from the past. Like the Ben Simmons situation and the one with Jimmy Butler. But how much can the big man be blamed for Harden wanting to get traded? It’s not like the fans do not have a point. For several years, the Philadelphia 76ers have attempted to maximize Embiid’s peak in the hopes of making long postseason runs.
However, each time, faulty roster building has prevented the sort of breakout that usually precedes a perennial MVP finalist. There was Embiid’s ultimately fatal relationship with Ben Simmons, a point guard whose lack of a solid jumper prompted the 76ers to design systems in which pick-and-rolls, the contemporary NBA’s lifeblood, were rare events. So is Joel Embiid the villain on the Sixers’ team?
The reason behind the Philadelphia 76ers players wanting to leave
It might seem that the issue stems from Embiid’s position as a center. No team has won an NBA championship with a center as their undisputed best player in a long time. But in the case of the Sixers, the reason is instead a deep-rooted one. James picked up a $35.6 million player option in late June and requested a trade. Harden has been waiting for a trade out of Philadelphia. The former MVP was adamant about signing with the Clippers, but negotiations went along slowly.
Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations, is a big believer in roster and salary cap flexibility going forward. While it is safe to believe that Morey wants Harden to remain in Philadelphia, he does not want to jeopardize the team’s future.
is that embiids fault tho? Butler left cause they didn’t pay him, Simmons left cause the entire team ain’t fuck with him after that hawks series, and harden wants to leave cause he ain’t get paid. What does any of that have to do with embiid
— 💲 (@twotwinglocko) August 13, 2023
Strangely enough, NBA fans seem to have cracked this mystery too. Users on X countered the narrative around Embiid being the problem. “Is that Embiid’s fault tho? Butler left cause they didn’t pay him, Simmons left cause the entire team ain’t f**k with him after that Hawks series, and Harden wants to leave cause he ain’t get paid. What does any of that have to do with Embiid” one wrote, clarifying almost everything the opposite side had to say.
It comes as a bit of a surprise. Harden is expected to return to Philadelphia and compete for a championship alongside Joel Embiid. However, this appears to be different. Harden, who led the league in assists and hit a career-high 38.5% from deep last season, desired a long-term deal. The Sixers, on the other hand, did not. The Sixers are signaling they want to run that back since the Clippers appear to be refusing to pay up right now.