Joel Embiid is finally entering the NBA season healthy, a situation the 76ers haven’t seen in years. Tyrese Maxey didn’t mince words, telling ESPN’s Kris Rhim that having Embiid healthy “changes everything” as the team gets ready for its first season alongside LeBron James. This isn’t just talk, either. Maxey pointed out how a healthy Embiid lets them put in “more packages” instead of trying to learn on the fly during games, which has definitely been an issue.
The MVP’s Rocky Road and What It Meant
Since his MVP run back in 2022-23, we just haven’t seen a consistently healthy Embiid. He hasn’t played more than 39 games in a season, mostly battling a knee ailment that’s kept him out of crucial offseason work, including training camp. Missing that time is huge, especially for a big man like Embiid who runs so much of their offense. Maxey explained how “very hard, very difficult to learn certain things” without a big like Joel consistently there. Think about it: you can’t drill those complex plays or build that crucial chemistry if your star big isn’t on the court day in and day out. It’s tough on everyone.
LeBron Arrives, Embiid Drills, and the Stakes Are Clear
Now, though, it’s a whole different vibe. Maxey highlighted that they’ve had “two, three weeks” of just drilling and drilling with Embiid healthy, which is massive. We all know when Embiid is healthy, he’s one of the absolute best players in the league, a true game-changer. Pairing that version of Embiid with LeBron James and Maxey? That’s a serious lineup. The Sixers clearly need all three of their stars at their peak when the playoffs finally roll around. You can bet they’ll be super cautious, managing minutes throughout the regular season to keep Embiid fresh and avoid any setbacks. Getting this guy on the court, healthy and ready to go with LeBron by his side, sets up a season that could be unlike any other for this team.
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.
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