Following yet another frustrating defeat, this time at the hands of the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers held a postgame meeting, reportedly called by veteran point guard Kyle Lowry with Sixers’ star Tyrese Maxey leading a difficult portion of the conversation.
Head coach Nick Nurse made it clear he would not reveal what was discussed and Joel Embiid pretended to be unaware a meeting was held, some of the alleged details of the meeting have now been reported
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Sixers’ star Tyrese Maxey “challenged” among the discussion topics during the meeting.
“The loss to the Heat was the fourth in a row for the 76ers, sparking veteran guard Kyle Lowry to call for the meeting — a much-needed heart-to-heart and a call to action and urgency, sources told ESPN, in which both players and coaches held each other accountable and took fault in the start to the season.”
“In the meeting, Maxey challenged Embiid to be on time to team activities,” Charania wrote. “Calling out the former league MVP about being late ‘for everything’ and how it impacts the locker room, from other players to the coaching staff, sources briefed on the meeting told ESPN.”
It’s important to note, as Charania did, that Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are quite close, both professionally but also personally. Maxey has referred to Embiid as “one of his closest friends.” Meanwhile, Embiid has shared the sentiment, while also calling Maxey “the best teammate” he has ever had. If there was one person who Joel would have listened to on this matter, it like would be Maxey.
To that point, Embiid received the criticism rather positively, according to Shams Charania, although it was quickly followed by a less reassuring report on the former MVP’s state of mind following the meeting.
“Embiid accepted the messages sent in the meeting, sources said, but he stated he is confused about what the 76ers are attempting to execute sometimes on the court.”
According to Charania, players told Nick Nurse that they want to be coached harder, while the coaching staff said they want players to “practice with purpose and attention to detail.”
One thing is clear, there is clearly a disconnect, if not several within this team, specifically between the players and the coaching staff. That does not mean this issue cannot be corrected, but both sides will have to work diligently together to do so.
It’s certainly a positive that Tyrese Maxey once again proved himself as a crucial leader to this team by taken a major step out of his comfort zone to call out the approach of his veteran co-star.
On the other hand, the details of a meeting like this leaking is concerning to say the least. Passing the blame baton will not bring this team together, not that that was the players’ intent. While this could prove to be a positively transformative experience for the Sixers, it could just as easily be the ignition of the end.
