Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is savoring the less demanding role he occupies on Team USA during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

"This is a different setting. This is a great setting for me because I'm playing with a lot of great players," he said, per Jonas Miklovas of BasketNews.com. "It's all about finding ways to bring whatever I can and, obviously, make sure that we win. That's all there is. In the NBA, I'm used to being the guy. Now, you gotta give it up, so I'm loving it."

The 7'0" center only played 11:21 in the United States' 110-84 win over Serbia to open the Summer Games. He finished with four points, two rebounds and one block.

Embiid related how his national team duties will be beneficial once he pivots back to his usual day job, where he'll share the floor with guard Tyrese Maxey and new signing Paul George.

"Especially Tyrese, I really want him to take the next step," he said. "I got to do as much as I can and then just be there, support, do what I have to do and still dominate. But I really want to make sure I empower my teammates, so this is a great experience for me."

Over the last three seasons, Embiid has averaged 34.0 minutes per game and maintained a 37.7 percent usage rate, per Basketball Reference. His 39.6 percent usage rate in 2023-24 would've been the third-highest in a single season since 1977-78 if he had played enough minutes to qualify.

That kind of workload simply isn't sustainable for the seven-time All-Star when he has constantly struggled with injuries, particularly when the playoffs are rolling around.

Maxey's emergence and George's arrival should ensure Embiid doesn't have to carry Philly like he has over the last few years. Playing on such a stacked Team USA roster — unquestionably the best he's ever had — should help ease him into his new normal on the court.

The Philadelphia 76ers had an epic offseason, adding Paul George, Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson in free agency, Jared McCain in the draft and re-signing Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry, among other moves.

And the rest of the NBA took notice.

In ESPN's poll of 18 coaches, scouts and executives around the league, the Philadelphia 76ers were given the honor of having the best offseason (eight votes), trumping the New York Knicks (five), Oklahoma City Thunder (three) and Boston Celtics (two).

"They took themselves to the next level," an executive from an Eastern Conference team told ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "We'll see if it's good enough, but you went from Point A to Point B."

Landing George alone was enough to boost Philly to No. 1 overall, per one West executive, "especially because of what it could have looked like" had the Sixers failed to land a star with all the cap space they accumulated coming into the summer.

Granted, the injury history of Joel Embiid and George will play a huge factor in the team's overall upside. And while the Sixers have excellent potential starting options on the wing in George, Oubre and Martin, the potential second unit is made up primarily of smaller guards (Lowry, Gordon, Jackson, McCain).

Perhaps the Sixers will opt to start Lowry or Gordon and bring Oubre or Martin off the bench. Good problems to have for Nick Nurse as he tries to finally guide Embiid and these Sixers past the second round.

Tyrese Maxey has beef with the Philadelphia 76ers' social media team.

Maxey jokingly called out the social team for posting highlights of Paul George breaking him down in the video the Sixers posted welcoming George to the team on the latest episode of Wave Sports + Entertainment's Podcast P with Paul George.

This is clearly one of those "I'm joking but not really" situations. Maxey seemed to have a good attitude about it while appearing on the podcast, but it's likely his attitude was a little more perplexed in the moment—and for good reason.

Even if the clips are highlighting the brilliance of George, it's not a good look for it to come at the expense of current players on the roster—particularly superstars. George doesn't have a shortage of brilliant NBA highlights, so there would have been plenty to choose from for teams that don't include the Sixers.

Maxey likely got his requisite apology internally for the mishap, and all parties will move on to bigger and better things. Just expect no Sixers included in any highlight videos for future acquisitions.

Fan response to Tyrese Maxey's bulked-up physique led to a humorous moment for the Philadelphia 76ers star.

Maxey said on X that he "really got drug tested because of y'all" and included two laughing emojis.

The Sixers held a press conference last week to announce Maxey's contract extension. He wore a form-fitting shirt that showed off his arms and shoulders, along with posting a workout video that prompted some fans to joke about his new muscles.

It's not uncommon for athletes to get randomly drug tested in the wake of a viral moment involving their physique. Sometimes it happens even if the pictures or videos aren't real.

When Alex Caruso was still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, a photoshopped picture of him made the rounds and prompted the NBA to give him a random drug test.

Maxey's new look is a great sign for the 76ers as they prepare for what is shaping up to be a very big season. Daryl Morey told reporters during the press conference that their offseason moves wouldn't have been possible if the 23-year-old didn't wait to sign his five-year, $204 million extension.

The Kentucky alum was eligible for the deal last offseason, but delaying it allowed the Sixers to maintain cap flexibility. They were able to use it to land Paul George on a four-year, $211.6 million contract in free agency.

Putting George on the roster with Maxey and Joel Embiid has raised the expectations in Philadelphia considerably. The top of the Eastern Conference is daunting with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics and New York Knicks with Mikal Bridges.

George, Maxey and Embiid comprise arguably the best trio of any team in the East. The Sixers will be counting on them to help the franchise reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 2000-01 season.

If Maxey's offseason bulking is any indication, it should be a very fun race between those three teams when the 2024-25 season begins.

Daryl Morey certainly isn't shying away from expectations for the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the 2024-25 campaign after adding Paul George.

In fact, the champion Boston Celtics are firmly in his sights.

"Obviously you've got to give the Celtics their credit," he said during an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic. "They won the title. They're an excellent team. They brought everybody back. They're the target, but we don't feel like we give up anything to them. We're going to be coming to take the title away from them."

On paper, the 76ers are certainly one of the top challengers to Boston's throne in the Eastern Conference.

Joel Embiid is just one season removed from his 2022-23 MVP and remains one of the best players in the league when healthy. Tyrese Maxey is becoming an elite guard who made his first career All-Star Game while averaging 25.9 points per game last season. And George is still one of the better two-way forwards in the NBA.

While George is 34 years old, the nine-time All-Star was largely excellent for the Los Angeles Clippers last season while averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

It is quite the Big Three, and depth pieces such as Kelly Oubre, Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry and even rookie Jared McCain can all be impact players.

There are still concerns, such as Embiid's ability to stay healthy, but there is enough firepower to at least challenge the Celtics.

The problem for Philadelphia and the rest of the league, though, is just how loaded Boston will once again be after winning the championship. It brought back all of its main playmakers in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Al Horford and, unlike this iteration of the 76ers, has proven it can deliver on the sport's biggest stage.

Philadelphia hasn't made it past the second round of the playoffs since Allen Iverson was leading the way in 2001. Adding George elevates the ceiling, but there are still multiple steps to take if it is going to do what the Celtics just did last season.

At least Morey isn't short on confidence.

Jared McCain became a notable name among basketball fans by thriving during his one season at Duke and becoming the No. 16 overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft, but the Philadelphia 76ers rookie is looking to bring some more star power to his TikTok page.

"If I could one day get Tyrese Maxey or Paul George in a TikTok that'd be amazing, but I'm not gonna force it in their faces by any means," he said, per Daniel Donabedian of ClutchPoints. "Hopefully, I can get them in one after a big win or something."

As of Thursday, McCain has 3.6 million followers on his TikTok page and consistently entertains viewers with dances and other content.

"I'm gonna show up and have fun," he said. "You can have fun off the court and still work hard and make it to the NBA. So I'm just trying to change that narrative that you have to be so serious at all times … I'm always gonna find a way to be myself."

George is no stranger to cameras and online media considering he hosts his own podcast called Podcast P with Paul George.

It would be anything but surprising if the nine-time All-Star who joined the 76ers this offseason made an appearance on McCain's TikTok page at some point, especially if Philadelphia is on a winning streak and playing excellent basketball.

If McCain lives up to his potential, he and the 23-year-old Maxey could represent the backcourt of the future for the 76ers, so it also wouldn't be surprising to see a TikTok featuring both guards down the line.

For now, the incoming rookie will look to carve out a role on the Eastern Conference contenders in his rookie season. He connected on 41.4 percent of his three-pointers during his one season with the Blue Devils and figures to see a number of open looks playing alongside Joel Embiid, George and Maxey.

If he can hit those three-pointers and become a fan favorite in Philadelphia, he will likely only see that follower count grow.

Joel Embiid doesn't understand the hate.

But he feels it.

"I'm probably the most hated guy in the league," the Philadelphia 76ers star said during an appearance on The Check Ball Show. "I don't know why, 'cause I'm just cool. I don't know what's there to hate about me. I feel like a lot of people can relate to my story and what I've been through."

There is plenty to admire about Embiid.

For one, he battled through chronic foot injuries that sidelined him for the first two seasons of his career after the 76ers selected him with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft. He also played just 31 games in his third season but has still managed to become one of the top players in the league.

He also helped turn around a 76ers squad that was among the worst in the league in the middle of a rebuilding process. Philadelphia has made the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons.

However, Embiid is also one of the more outspoken players in the league and has certainly done his fair share of trash talking.

He is also viewed by some as one of the NBA's biggest floppers, which could contribute to the perceived hate he feels.

NBA discourse also frequently focuses on championships and delivering on the biggest stages, and Embiid's 76ers squads are yet to make it past the second round of the playoffs. The playoff failures have rarely been because of him, but some fans will surely continue to hold that against him until he does win a title.

Perhaps he can do just that during the upcoming season now that the 76ers added Paul George this offseason.

For now, though, his focus is on helping Team USA win a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.

Joel Embiid faces a lot of double teams.

It's a smart strategy—he's nearly impossible to guard one-on-one, given his size, finesse and ability to score from all three levels, and it forces him to make quick decisions as a passer, something he struggled with in the past (though he's steadily improved as a playmaker).

But Embiid believes he would put up astronomical offensive numbers if teams weren't allowed to double him.

"No doubles? Fifty [points per game]," Embiid said on The Check Ball Show when asked what he would average if double teams were outlawed (7:30 mark). "Not even kidding. I would. Because all you would have to do is just throw the ball down there [into the post] every single possession and I'll get to the free-throw line or I'll score. Most teams have what—two big men, three big men?—next thing you know they're all going to be in foul trouble."

Even with double and triple teams headed his way, Embiid still gets bigs in foul trouble. And he still averaged over 30 points per game in three straight seasons.

Meanwhile, Embiid hinted at the lack of help around him later in the conversation while saying that Jayson Tatum gets to play with a "super team" on the Boston Celtics (24:45 in video).

"If I go 5-for-20, we get blown out," Embiid said.

The center should get more help this season with running mates like Paul George and Tyrese Maxey and a solid group of complementary role players behind him, also making it more difficult for opponents to use double teams. If Embiid takes another step as a playmaker out of the post and can stay healthy, the Sixers are going to be a problem.

While Paul George says he never wanted to leave Los Angeles, he secretly felt it was "inevitable" that he and Joel Embiid would be teammates.

"I've always been a fan of Tyrese [Maxey] and Joel from afar. Joel has secretly been one of my closest All-Star Game friends, so it kind of felt inevitable we would link up and be teammates. I'm all in," George told reporters Tuesday.

George signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers earlier this month. He'll join Embiid and Maxey to give Philly arguably the best 1-2-3 punch in the NBA.

The Sixers' good fortune came directly as a result of a financial decision made by the Clippers, who refused to offer George a max contract or give him a no-trade clause in a lesser deal. George said he felt disrespected by the Clippers front office, which initially only offered him a two-year, $60 million extension before later upping the offer.

"I never wanted to leave L.A.," George said on his podcast. "L.A. is home, this is where I wanted to finish at, and I wanted to work as hard as possible to win one in L.A. That was the goal, to be here and be committed to L.A. As it played out though, the first initial deal was I thought kind of disrespectful. In all of this, no hard feelings, no love lost ... it's a business. So the first initial deal was like two years, 60. So I'm like, whoa, whoa, whoa.

"That's crazy! I'm like, 'Naw, I'm not signing that.'"

The Clippers released a statement that essentially laid the blame at the feet of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, which places heavy restrictions on teams that go above the second tax apron. Re-signing George would have taken the Clippers above that mark for at least the next two seasons, resulting in a team built on the backs of aging players in George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

Instead, LA lost George for nothing and the Sixers landed the biggest free-agent prize of the offseason.

The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly continued to add to their retooled roster Tuesday with the addition of veteran guard Reggie Jackson.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Jackson agreed to a contract buyout with the Charlotte Hornets, and he will join the Sixers upon clearing waivers.

Jackson was dealt from the Denver Nuggets to the Hornets in a six-team trade earlier this month, which saw Klay Thompson go from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks and Buddy Hield go from the 76ers to the Warriors.

The 34-year-old Jackson is set to enter his 14th NBA season, and the Sixers will be the fifth different organization he has played for.

In 853 career regular-season games, Jackson owns averages of 12.6 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 three-pointers made, while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc.

His most productive seasons came with the Detroit Pistons, including 2015-16 when he averaged a career-high 18.8 points and 6.2 assists per game, but he isn't far removed from averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 assists per contest with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2021-22.

While Jackson was primarily a starter in Detroit and L.A., he almost exclusively came off the bench after getting traded to Denver during the 2022-23 campaign, as he started just 25 of the 98 games he played in with the Nuggets.

Jackson was part of the Nuggets' NBA championship-winning team in 2023, although he played sparingly in the postseason, averaging just three minutes per game in six contests.

Last season, Jackson played in all 82 regular-season games and averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 three-pointers made, while shooting 43.1 percent from the floor and 35.9 percent from deep.

He saw a bit more action in the playoffs than the previous season as well, but averaged just 3.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 12 postseason games.

Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has been hard at work reshaping the roster around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey this offseason after Philly got bounced in the first round of the playoffs last season.

His most notable move was signing nine-time All-Star Paul George, but he also brought in role players such as Eric Gordon, Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond, and re-signed Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry.

Given the top-end talent and depth they possess, the Sixers should have a chance to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference during the 2024-25 season, such as the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.