Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid expressed discontent regarding the revelation of internal team discussions following their recent game against the Miami Heat. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the 76ers held a team meeting after suffering a 106-89 defeat, during which guard Tyrese Maxey brought forth concerns about Embiid's punctuality, stating that the reigning MVP was often late to team activities and highlighting the implications for team dynamics.

In a candid response to reporters after the 76ers' 117-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Embiid remarked, 'Whoever leaked that is a real piece of s--t.' He acknowledged that while the team's conversation was significant, it was brief, asserting, 'I don’t want to get into the details, but that whole thing probably took 30 seconds.' The Athletic's Tony Jones added that Embiid took responsibility for his tardiness and emphasized his intention to improve, stating, 'I need to be better. I need to be perfect, I need to be on point, which I'm going to do.'

Embiid's frustration regarding the public nature of the meeting is understandable, as such discussions are typically expected to remain confidential. However, the surfacing of Maxey's direct remarks also suggests a level of urgency within the organization regarding Embiid's participation and commitment. This situation raises questions about whether public accountability could prompt necessary changes in player behavior. As the 76ers continue to struggle, their record stands at 2-12, placing them at the bottom of the NBA standings. Despite this, there remains a sense of potential, with the team only four games away from the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Nonetheless, the 76ers have yet to secure a victory in regulation time, and a significant portion of their losses has come by double digits, leaving fans concerned about the prospects for this season.