Embiid: 76ers Stars Don't Need to 'Take a Back Seat'

Joel Embiid, a cornerstone of the Philadelphia 76ers, has dismissed the idea that the team's prominent players must make significant sacrifices or alter their play styles for the team to succeed. As the NBA regular season looms, Embiid stated that the team's approach will involve supporting each player in performing at their best, rather than demanding anyone “take a back seat.”

The 76ers have assembled a roster featuring Embiid, along with recent acquisitions Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, and established star Tyrese Maxey. This collection of talent has fueled expectations of a deep playoff run and a potential championship bid.

During the team's preseason finale, Embiid showcased his readiness, scoring 27 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and delivering a notable dunk. The game, a close 125-120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, offered a glimpse of the team's potential under coach Nick Nurse.

Brown acknowledged that the team is still finding its rhythm and addressing areas like spacing, which contributed to some turnovers in the preseason game. He echoed Embiid's sentiment, stating, "We're not where we want to be yet. So that's just a part of it. It's a part of coming together, a new group with a bunch of guys, different style, but we just got to keep getting better every day."

James also weighed in on the team's progress, noting, "We're getting there. I mean, obviously we are a couple of weeks in, so we're still working on our rhythm, working on our kinks, and it's not going to be perfect."

The 76ers are set to open their 2026-27 season against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.