The Philadelphia 76ers currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 19-27 record, well outside the playoff picture. This underwhelming performance can be attributed to various factors, but the most prominent has been the fitness and availability of star player Joel Embiid. Former NBA champion Matt Barnes has been vocal about the situation, pointing the finger at Embiid for not setting the right tone for the team.
"I think Embiid set the tone early, you know what I mean?" began Barnes during his conversation on the All The Smoke Unplugged podcast. "And for this team—if he’s your guy, and he has franchise, obviously, one of the greatest players of all time-type talent—but I think his mentality is [expletive] up, bro." With these sharp words, Barnes elaborated on why Embiid has failed to meet expectations this season. He believes the star's mentality doesn't match his immense talent, stating, "His mind isn’t where it needs to be. The grind isn’t where it needs to be. It doesn’t match the talent."
Barnes continued, emphasizing how the on-court struggles of Embiid have not only been due to his injuries but perhaps also due to his off-court mindset. "If your star player is on some ‘Hey, I’m late every time, I’m not playing, I don’t really know what’s going on’ type [expletive], then obviously, it affects the team,” he added.
It’s worth noting Embiid’s struggles are impacting the broader performance of the 76ers. Out of the 46 games they have played this season, Embiid has been available for only 13 of them, resulting in just a modest 7-6 record when he plays. His scoring indicates just how talented he is, averaging 24.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. His presence on the court undeniably enhances the team’s performance, but consistently finding himself on the sideline has proven detrimental.
Meanwhile, Paul George's situation adds another layer to the 76ers' woes. While he has played 30 of the 46 games, his impact hasn’t been what the team hoped for. “My brother PG—he got the big deal there, but he struggled at times trying to find his rhythm,” Barnes explained. George, with his current scoring average of just 17.1 points per game, is posting his lowest numbers in over ten years. His performance directly contributes to the 76ers' challenges this season.
Without question, the 76ers' needs are clear: both Joel Embiid and Paul George must find their footing if the team hopes to have any chance of competing seriously this season. The potential exists with players like Tyrese Maxey shining on the roster, but without Embiid’s return to full fitness and George’s rhythmic play, the 76ers may find themselves missing the playoffs altogether.
With the right mindset, both players could turn the tide for this struggling franchise. The upcoming weeks will be significant for the 76ers as they strive to reclaim their place among the Eastern Conference's elite. Their performance hinges not just on talent but on the ability to get their star players back on the court, healthy, and playing at their potential.