As the boos rang loud in Philadelphia, Sixers fans let it be known of
their displeasure. A team who's yet to see winning results while falling
short of championship expectations. Star players injured as role players
try to keep it afloat. But... When your franchise player and former league
MVP Joel Embiid isn't carrying his part of the deal, it creates uncertainty.
This is where he's been failing and body language is displayed nightly.
Upon the news of Embiid's lack of leadership and unwillingness to be
available has drew ire of national sports media. All-star guard Tyrese
Maxey called out Embiid's tardiness and dedication to being available. A
young guy in Maxey speaking up says a lot about the internal
disfunction of Philly's locker room. None of this was leaked while
winning league MVP; but after saying "I'm not playing back to backs,"
what is Embiid's motive?
In a league where every game counts early on can position yourself for
the playoffs to avoid risk having luck strike later on and needing help.
For Philadelphia, the main problem is Sixers management. Enabling
behavior from your franchise player is sounding alarms and growing
louder with each loss. Embiid's flopping at the free throw line in a loss to
Memphis was comical. If you've been living under a rock, I'm not being
sympathetic. When it matters most, he's hurt or playing with no sense of
urgency. Even when he dominates his contemporaries, everyone raves.
The internal issues with Embiid and Philly are only hurting with each
loss. Questions ire his dedication to being available for seventy-five
percent of the season. After signing a three year extension of $195
million dollars, it's a bad return of investment. Even with the addition of Paul George, it feels as the Sixers woes are strapped invested in two
players whose injury history is well known.
Philadelphia has maxed their cap, draft resources and fallen short each
season with no Eastern Conference Finals appearance. To be quite
frank, Embiid is the only league MVP without seeing the ECF. Yes, this
is a fact without being funny. They've given Embiid everything possible
to compete and this is how he repays them. A team record of 3-13 and it
feels like the season is already over before starting. Just like another
superstar who has dealt with injuries and yet to play: Kawhi Leonard in
Los Angeles.
Fans pay their hard earned money to see guys compete, but when they
don't suit up, why bother? The media has chastised LeBron James for
his shortcomings in the postseason; but where's the noise for Embiid's
commitment to being there for his team? One thing that dismantles a
legacy is expectations. Do your research on all the all-time greats and
you'll see what they accomplished in their careers.
When we see Embiid's accolades, what will we remember him for? Hall
of Famers and Sixers legends Julius Erving and Allen Iverson at least
led the franchise to NBA Finals appearances. Iverson was a league
MVP and played every game like his last. "Dr. J" was an underrated
superstar in the shadows of Magic and Larry; but we know what both
legends accomplished for Philadelphia. The city eats, sleeps and
breathes their sports teams. If you win consistently, the love is
everlasting. Lose and those boos will ring louder than the Liberty Bell.
For Joel Embiid, he needs to look at himself in the mirror and shape up.
Sixers management needs to tighten the bolts and screws in their
foundation. Head coach Nick Nurse can only do so much and he too
can't fix every player's motivation. It starts within the front office and
down to the players. Guys on this roster may not be top dollar, but it
lingers the character and stability of this team. If your leader is making
excuses and making life miserable for everyone, conflict boils over.
Being a leader comes with facing public scrutiny and strays from the
national media.
If they were to trade him, what's his value? Retooling and building
around Maxey will take time. Philly would receive an overhaul of picks
and be stuck in mediocrity for a couple years. Either way, Embiid needs
to get it together and become reliable for his teammates. Leaders lead
by example and others will follow if the work ethics are in tact.
Stai tuned...
