Joel Embid responds to person who leaked Sixers’ team meeting

On November 22, 2024By Littum

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers catches the ball during … (+) first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

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There was palpable irritation from Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embid when he addressed the media last night about the leaked team meeting that highlighted his recent unprofessionalism.

“Whoever leaked it is a real piece of shit,” Embid told the media after Philly fell 117-111 to the Memphis Grizzlies. “But even then we talked about a lot of things. I don’t want to get into the details, but the whole thing probably took 30 seconds.”

ESPN’s Sham Charania reported that the Sixers had a team meeting following their 106-89 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday. The incident featured Philly point guard Tyrese Maxey expressing his displeasure with Embid over the former MVP’s lateness with “everything” and challenging him to be more on time.

The Athletics Tony Jones provided a follow-up quote about the situation on his Twitter/X account, in which Embid took responsibility for his actions.

“I’ve got to get better. I’ve got to be perfect, I’ve got to be on point, which I’m going to do,” Embid said.

The meeting didn’t just focus on Embiid’s unprofessional ways. According to Shams, the players emphasized training harder, while members of the coaching staff preached that the players should practice “with purpose and attention to detail.”

Embid scored a season-high 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in over 35 minutes of play during last night’s six-point loss.

The Sixers rebuilt their roster this offseason as a way to provide as much depth as possible around their injury-prone franchise. Embid has only been able to play four of the team’s 14 games this season due to the team’s mandated “knee injury management” program.

Embid also missed time while serving a three-game suspension for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Marcus Hayes in the team’s locker room.

Paul George was landed in free agency on a four-year, $212 million deal to be the team’s third option behind all-stars Embid and Maxey. George has missed seven of the team’s first 14 games because of a left knee hyperextension he suffered in the preseason.

In last night’s game, the veteran swingman aggravated the injury during the second half while chasing an offensive rebound. Head coach Nick Nurse revealed that there is no structural damage to the knee, but George’s timetable for his return is unknown.

Maxey, the team’s most prized draft pick of the 2020s, was recovering from a strained hamstring. The 24-year-old missed the team’s last six games before returning to the lineup against the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Maxey is currently shooting a career-worst 39.3% from the field and 26.5% from three.

Philly currently has the worst record in the NBA at 2-12. Both of their wins have come in overtime games and they have yet to beat a team with a winning record.

As for their trio of Maxey-George-Embid, they have only played one game together so far this season.