The Philadelphia 76ers are projecting optimism coming into coaching camp, however sources near the group reveal deep-seated dysfunction centered round Joel Embiid throughout final season’s 24-58 collapse. Former staffers and participant associates describe an surroundings affected by distrust and communication breakdowns, in keeping with The Ringer.
“The group was constructed round one man who does not belief anybody and principally retains to himself,” one former Sixers staffer stated. When Embiid appeared in simply 19 video games final season, that isolation created organizational chaos.
Embiid’s refusal to speak about his damage standing prolonged past the general public to inner stakeholders. Gamers often arrived at work unaware whether or not their star would go well with up. Coaches typically discovered Embiid’s standing throughout pregame warmups, generally lower than an hour earlier than tipoff.
“With Joel, even when there’s a plan in place, you’ll be able to’t say something about it,” a second former staff staffer stated.
Pressure escalated after a November players-only assembly was leaked to ESPN’s Shams Charania, with grievances directed at Embiid turning into public. The breach broken locker room belief and appeared to have an effect on Embiid most importantly.
“Individuals left that night time feeling like that they had turned a nook. Everybody promised to maintain the main points in-house. After which they get up and all the main points are out,” an individual near a participant stated.
“All of it created an surroundings of dysfunction,” stated an affiliate of a Sixers participant.
President Daryl Morey performed intensive offseason evaluations, leading to personnel modifications throughout teaching, medical, and assist employees. Morey emphasised injecting youth into the roster after recognizing his errors constructing the supporting solid with veterans.
“We notice we’re within the ‘prove-it’ section,” Morey stated at media day. “I do not suppose it actually issues what we’re saying up right here on our expectations at this level.”
The Sixers enter camp with 69 p.c of their wage cap dedicated to Embiid and Paul George, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgical procedure in July. George has not offered a return timetable and stated he isn’t able to “begin the total ramp-up.”
Tyrese Maxey has assumed a management function, organizing offseason exercises and emphasizing consistency no matter personnel availability. Second-year guard Jared McCain will miss 4 to 6 weeks after tearing a ligament in his proper thumb throughout observe.
