Former 76er raises red flag about Joel Embiid

Staff Writer
Former 76er raises red flag about Joel Embiid image

The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams — not just in the Eastern Conference, but across the entire league. Led by Tyrese Maxey and rookie standout VJ Edgecombe, the team has also found hidden heroes in Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr.

There’s one player, however, who hasn’t quite looked like himself — Joel Embiid. The former 2022–23 MVP has struggled to find his rhythm, averaging just 17.8 points and 5.4 rebounds on 42.3% shooting from the field and 33.3% from three. His usage rate is at an all-time low, and when he’s on the floor, it’s clear something is missing.

On the Run It Back podcast featuring Michelle Beadle, Lou Williams, and Chandler Parsons, Williams shared a blunt assessment of Embiid’s current form — and his words didn’t sugarcoat the situation.

“Joel Embiid is living and dying by that jump shot. I don't know how sustainable this will be for the 76ers. It looks like it’s hard for him to move out there… something isn’t right. His knee isn’t giving him that speed… you don’t see that pop.”

 

Williams added that Embiid only gives “100% for about 4–5 minutes” per game — and that’s where his dominance seems to end.

It’s a sentiment shared by many watching the Sixers this season. Embiid has appeared in five of Philadelphia’s seven games but is averaging just 22.8 minutes per contest — nearly eight fewer than last season. His 30.2 minutes per game in 2024–25 were already a noticeable decline, and the trend appears to be continuing.

The Sixers aren’t limiting Embiid’s minutes because he’s ineffective, but because he simply doesn’t look the same physically. The power, lift, and intimidation that once defined his game aren’t there.

“He doesn't look right. It sucks because he's my boy — I know him, I love him. Something's off,” Parsons said. “You don't see that aggression. You don't see that dominant, ‘Give me the ball.’ He doesn’t look fully healthy.”

 

For now, Embiid’s impact appears muted as the team continues to monitor his health and conditioning. Philadelphia hopes to gradually ramp him up over the course of the season — but even that’s no guarantee. With Embiid already sitting out back-to-backs, it’s fair to wonder just how much of his old form the Sixers will realistically see again.

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