Embiid's Return: Tyrese Maxey Declares Healthy Joel Embiid a Game-Changer for Sixers' Season

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey emphasized Thursday that a healthy Joel Embiid profoundly impacts the team's dynamics, stating it "changes everything" for the Sixers. Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, has a career significantly affected by injuries, having never completed a full 82-game season and playing over 60 games in only four of his ten years. His career average stands at just 49 games per season, not including the first two seasons he missed entirely due to injury.

Last season alone, Embiid played only 38 games, battling right hip complications, left knee management, and appendicitis. These frequent absences have often prevented him from participating in crucial training camps and preseason activities, periods vital for the team to acclimate to playing alongside a player of Embiid's caliber.

Maxey explained that a healthy Embiid enables the team to implement more complex strategies and "packages." He noted, "There's been times where he hasn't been healthy and we get into the game and now we're trying to learn on the flow." Maxey, with his six years of playing alongside Embiid, possesses a distinct advantage, understanding Embiid's preferences for catching the ball, guard cuts, and other ingrained tendencies.

However, the Sixers' new high-profile additions, notably LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, lack this extensive shared experience. The key difference this season, according to Maxey, is Embiid's full participation in training camp and the preseason, which has facilitated a smoother transition for the new players. Maxey underscored the difficulty of learning to play with a unique big man like Embiid without consistent practice. "So, with him being here, we can drill those things over and over. It's been what, like two, three weeks that we've had just drilling and drilling. That's a good thing."

Embiid himself expressed optimism about his health at the end of last season, feeling "as confident as I've ever been." He specifically mentioned his knee, stating, "I think, obviously, [my knee] was the biggest concern, and I'm not thinking about it. And as long as we keep doing what we've been doing, I won't have to think about it anymore." This collective confidence in Embiid's physical condition sets a different tone for the upcoming season for the Philadelphia 76ers.