headtopics
The Philadelphia 76ers have constructed a roster that now includes four players who have earned at least one All-NBA team nod: LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, plus second-year standout VJ Edgecombe. With two former MVPs in James and Embiid, the team has legitimate championship ambitions, but individual sacrifice and adaptability will be essential to blend these talents on the court.
Maxey is coming off his second straight season dealing with a sprain in the same pinkie finger, which hampered his shooting and ballhandling. He returned three weeks after the initial injury in early March but acknowledged aggravating it during the regular season's final stretch and playoffs. In the Sixers' second-round sweep by the New York Knicks, he shot 3-of-19 from three-point range and bluntly stated after the season-ending Game 4 loss that the finger simply hurt. Now, Maxey has the offseason to heal. The question remains whether it was bad luck or if preventative measures can reduce vulnerability. Maxey has already discussed using his offensive gravity off the ball more often, working on those scenarios with Edgecombe as the primary ballhandler. With James, one of the greatest passers ever, Maxey will have opportunities to set screens, cut, and launch three-pointers off the catch.
Embiid, who has played only 96 games over the last three seasons combined, expressed optimism during his end-of-season press conference that he and the Sixers have figured out how to manage his surgically repaired left knee. Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, reiterated in early June that Embiid had no offseason surgeries planned. Embiid reportedly reinforced his health to James during recruitment. However, knee management couldn't prevent injuries like a popped oblique or appendicitis that sidelined him late last season. When Embiid played consistently from late November through early February, he looked like an All-Star. The Sixers will no longer run their entire offense through Embiid, and he may see fewer double-teams due to surrounding star power. The middle of the post remains his domain, and his chemistry with James and Brown, alongside his lethal two-man game with Maxey, will be crucial. Improving his three-point consistency (33.3% last season) would also help. Embiid has said he wants the ball to move and keep teammates involved—now he must put that into practice for a full season. While it's unrealistic to expect a return to Defensive Player of the Year form, regaining mobility in space against pick-and-rolls, after the Knicks exploited him, would benefit the perimeter defense of Maxey, Edgecombe, and a conserving James.
Brown repeatedly called last season with the Boston Celtics his favorite in the NBA, partly because he was the top scorer but also because he helped teammates exceed expectations while Jayson Tatum recovered from Achilles surgery. Could Brown find similar satisfaction in helping the Sixers clear the second-round hurdle and elevate Maxey, Embiid, and Edgecombe, even in a slightly more complementary role? Brown has not yet held a formal introductory press conference but has already called new teammates Maxey and Edgecombe during a Twitch live stream. He excels at creating his own shot with athleticism and strength, but with more ball movement, he should have catch-and-shoot opportunities. His three-point efficiency (35.8% career) could improve, and his fastbreak prowess (14th in the NBA last season) will complement Maxey and Edgecombe. Brown is a two-way player, and if his offensive workload decreases (he ranked third in usage rate last season), he can dedicate more energy to defense, likely guarding top perimeter threats.
James has been defined as the Sixers' point guard by ESPN's Shams Charania, leveraging his still-elite passing skills. His 7.2 assists per game last season don't fully capture his role as a connector. With the Los Angeles Lakers, he thrived as a facilitator, allowing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to carry the scoring load. That playmaking and basketball IQ will hold up as he ages through his two-year contract. Entering his NBA-record 24th season, James takes meticulous care of his body, but freak injuries can't be fully prevented. Like Embiid, his health for the playoffs is paramount, so expect rest days and possibly reduced minutes. His 5 a.m. workouts and gym sessions with Maxey are already visible, but his new teammates and staff will witness his daily routines—how he attacks practices, recovers, spends downtime, communicates, and handles media. Those habits are vital for a championship quest, and stars like Maxey and Embiid have much to learn.
Even before acquiring James, coach Nick Nurse wanted Edgecombe to seize opportunities to grab rebounds and push the ball in transition. The second-year guard is an unreal athlete who can get easy buckets even when plays aren't run for him in the halfcourt. As a rookie, Edgecombe showed fearlessness, shaking off slow shooting starts to hit crunch-time shots. He tied for sixth in the NBA with 12 clutch three-pointers, shooting 54.5% from deep in those situations. The next step is consistency in the first three quarters, as he'll likely get open looks with defenses focused on proven stars. The blockbuster additions will move Edgecombe down the pecking order after a fantastic rookie season, but he'll play in lineups with reserves and get more scoring chances, especially when Embiid or James miss games. Even when the team was fully healthy in last season's playoffs, Edgecombe rose in big moments. His time is coming, but second-year players rarely experience the stakes of the upcoming season. Edgecombe, who respects the game's history, expects to learn from being around James and Brown.
Originally reported by headtopics.