The Philadelphia 76ers are off to an impressive 2-0 start, even bagging wins against both of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals teams, but you know how it is. There’s already talk brewing about potential drama within the roster. An NBA scout just dropped a bomb to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, predicting Joel Embiid is going to “get pissed” over his lack of touches. We’re talking about a lineup with high-usage stars like Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James, and Jaylen Brown. This scout ain’t pulling punches either, saying, “I think it’s going to be a problem, and that could railroad them. I just don’t buy it right now. He’s going to want the ball more. He’s going to get pissed. He’s going to stop playing defense. He’s going to stop running.” Talk about a red flag flying early!
The Shot Attempts Are Already Dropping
This isn’t some out-of-nowhere prediction, folks. The speculation has been buzzing since the Sixers pulled off those massive offseason moves to bring in James and Brown. Everyone knows all four of their primary stars *need* the ball to really shine on offense. And guess what? Through two games, the numbers are already showing a clear shift. Tyrese Maxey is absolutely leading the charge, putting up 30.0 points and launching 21 field-goal attempts per game. Embiid, on the other hand, has attempted 31 field goals in two games. That’s a rate of 15.5 shot attempts per contest, which would be his lowest since he was a rookie way back in 2016-17, when he averaged 13.8. You see that? This is a seven-time All-Star, and his shot volume is already dipping to rookie levels.
Embiid Says “No Sacrifice,” But The Numbers Talk
Embiid himself has been trying to downplay the whole “sacrifice” narrative. After Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where the Sixers pulled off a crazy 29-point comeback to win 114-106, he said everyone got their looks. “We all played at a high level. Everybody had their moment. ‘Rese had his moments. JB had his moments. Bron had his moments. I had my moments. Going back to the question about sacrifice, when I said that it’s not necessary, I don’t like that word, it’s just we have a bunch of talented guys, so, ‘Tyrese, just go ahead and do your thing.’ ‘Me, do my thing.’ ‘JB, do your thing.’ And we just play off of that and we just trust each other and make the right plays over and over to put ourselves in a position to succeed.” He even doubled down on October 16, stating, “I’m against the concept of sacrificing. I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we’re going to support you. … I don’t think anybody has to take a back seat.”
It’s easy to preach “do what you do best” when you’re 2-0 and pulling off insane comebacks, especially that one against Cleveland where they outscored the Cavs 69-37 in the second half. But that scout’s words, they stick with you. If things hit a rough patch, if those shots aren’t falling for everyone, will Embiid still be so chill about taking fewer attempts than his rookie year? This is the kind of stuff that can make or break a superteam. Embiid’s injury history is always a wild card, and with a $62.6 million salary next season and a $67.3 million player option for 2028-29, he’s not exactly an easy trade chip if things go sideways. For now, they’re creating “early-season magic,” as the scout puts it. But that “pissed” prediction? It’s a ticking clock you can’t ignore.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply