Rich Paul pushed back on concerns surrounding Joel Embiid’s work ethic after Max Kellerman raised the issue during the Game Over podcast.
Kellerman told Paul he had heard Embiid’s approach to training was viewed negatively during the Olympics, citing comments attributed to former NBA player and analyst Brian Scalabrine. Kellerman questioned whether that could become a problem for the Philadelphia 76ers, particularly with LeBron James now joining the team.
“Embiid, when he was on the Olympic team, I thought this was super interesting. Scal was talking about when the best players get together, everyone’s got the cars and the watches and the money. The way they really compete and impress each other is like who works the hardest. And that was not Embiid at all. It was the opposite for Embiid, according to Scal, what he was hearing. Isn’t that a problem for the Sixers? Or does LeBron get on and does LeBron help fix that?”
Paul dismissed the suggestion that Embiid’s work habits are currently a concern, instead offering a positive assessment of the center’s offseason preparation.
“No, I’ve heard nothing but great things about Joel this summer. I heard he’s in the best shape he’s been in. He’s been healthy all summer. So what Scal is saying, normally, yeah, that is the case. I’ve been around a ton of USA teams. So yeah but I don’t think so in this case.”
The comments come at an important point for Philadelphia, which is entering the season with a significantly reshaped roster. The 76ers finished 45-37 and seventh in the Eastern Conference last season before eliminating the Boston Celtics in seven games and then losing to the New York Knicks in a four-game second-round sweep.
Embiid remained one of Philadelphia’s most productive players when available, averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 38 games. He shot 48.9% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range and 85.4% from the free-throw line while averaging 31.6 minutes.
The bigger issue for Philadelphia has been Embiid’s availability rather than his statistical production. He appeared in only 38 of the team’s 82 regular-season games, while Tyrese Maxey played 70 and VJ Edgecombe appeared in 75.
The 76ers have since made major changes around their stars. They traded Paul George to Boston for Jaylen Brown, signed James to a two-year minimum contract and added Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The resulting core features Embiid, Brown, Maxey and Edgecombe, with James providing another experienced voice. Philadelphia is therefore banking on Embiid being healthy and prepared as it attempts to improve on last season’s 45-win campaign.
