Former NBA Champion questions Joel Embiid’s leadership and motivation to win NBA title

Joel Embiid needs to work on his conditioning if he wants to vie for an NBA title.


Former NBA Champion questions Joel Embiid’s leadership and motivation to win NBA title

Former NBA champion Udonis Haslem questions Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid's leadership and desire to win NBA title

The Philadelphia 76ers have a chance to completely reset their team and surround superstar Joel Embiid with quality players to fight for an NBA Championship. They want to sign a star who can complement Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, former NBA Champion Udonis Haslem has raised some questions about the former MVP’s desire and leadership.

While speaking about Paul George‘s options heading into free agency, host of First Take Molly Qerim asked Haslem if Joel Embiid‘s health issues will become a cause for concern for any potential players who are looking to sign with the 76ers. In response, the former Miami Heat star pointed out that Embiid needs to be a better version of himself in terms of leadership and desire.

I will say this. Joel Embiid gotta work on his habits. If you are talking about winning a championship and you want to bring guys to Philly, and you wanna be the leader of that organization. If you're gonna lead, guys are gonna follow. And you can't lead with bad habits. Somebody has to have those face-to-face authentic conversations with Joel Embiid. And then we gonna find out how great Joel Embiid wants to be. We know how great he can be. But how great does he really wanna be.
Udonis Haslem said
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According to Haslem, Joel Embiid can do much better. He feels the former MVP needs to lead the franchise on all courts.

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Udonis Haslem is not the first person to talk about Joel Embiid’s conditioning and leadership. Time and again many analysts have pointed out that the former MVP needs to get his health in order if he wants to vie for championships. Some even believe he is a bit too heavy.

Haslem thinks these reasons could scare away potential free agents such as Paul George. After all, no player would want to go there with the ambition of winning an NBA title, only to exit the playoffs due to Embiid’s unavailability.

Paul George may not play alongside Joel Embiid as Philadelphia 76ers look elsewhere

Paul George was a viable candidate to team up with Joel Embiid. However, as per Shams Charania, it seems the 76ers have dropped their interest in the Los Angeles Clippers superstar.

The Philadelphia 76ers' interest in pursuing Paul George has significantly waned in recent days, and the franchise is expected to be aggressive elsewhere with its salary cap flexibility and draft capital leading into next week’s NBA Draft, sources tell The Athletic.
Shams Charania reported

He suggested that the Philadelphia 76ers are looking elsewhere for players to team up with their superstar. George is a superstar who can score at will and also defend the perimeter at an elite level. His prime skills which would have complimented Embiid and fellow star Tyrese Maxey. But something must have led the franchise away from trying to sign him.

With draft capital and salary cap at their disposal, the 76ers are in prime position to bring in good players. But they do not want to overpay for someone just because the situation might allow them to.

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