Sports Analyst Puts Joel Embiid in Kawhi Leonard Tier With ‘No Expectations’

It was just a few days back when Philadelphia 76ers’ star Joel Embiid gave an explosive interview to ESPN, which made rounds around the NBA community. While many jumped in to support Embiid after coming across the interview, some remain skeptical about him, mostly because Embiid has not been himself in the NBA over the last two to three years.

Injuries have played a major factor in that, but his confidence has also taken a new low over the last 2-3 years. Notably, NBA analyst Chris Broussard has expressed some questionable opinions about the 76ers’ star lately. Broussard claimed that he expects nothing from Embiid due to the injuries that have hampered his body and confidence.

He put him in the same bracket as injury-prone Los Angeles Clippers star, Kawhi Leonard on the recent segment of the First Things First show.

To me Joel Embiid is in the Kawhi Leonard class where I don’t expect anything. I hate to even say this: I feel like he’s gonna play 30 something games, be great in those 30 something games. It’s not solely his fault, it’s the injuries

Chris Broussard said on First Things First

Chris Broussard:

"To me Joel Embiid is in the Kawhi Leonard class where I don't expect anything. I hate to even say this: I feel like he's gonna play 30 something games, be great in those 30 something games. It's not solely his fault, it's the injuries" pic.twitter.com/HZOkVcpQpc

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 18, 2025

Broussard’s statements do make sense because Embiid, just like Leonard, has not played many games in the NBA over the last two years. Last season, Embiid did not play more than 20 games, leaving a sense of concern for the 76ers’ management. Despite that, the 76ers’ star is on his recovery road and hopes to play more games this season.

But the fear of being injured is always around the corner for Embiid, which creates doubts in the mind for analysts like Broussard. Before injuries to his body, Embiid was a different type of beast. He also won the 2023 NBA MVP award, showcasing the caliber of a player he is.

After scoring 35.3 points in 34 minutes, he was on his way to surpassing Wilt Chamberlain‘s 1961–62 season and becoming just the second player in history to score more than one point per minute. This demonstrates the Sixers star’s skill as a player. This was before Embiid injured his knee back in 2024.

Tyrese Maxey shows love to his teammate Joel Embiid

What Joel Embiid needs right now is support and admiration from his team, management, and teammates. This was on full display lately as his teammate Tyrese Maxey reposted a viral Twitter post that has been making rounds among the NBA community lately. The video contained different clips of Maxey and Embiid playing on the court together, showcasing their brotherly bond.

Maxey did not waste any time in reposting this post, sending a clear message to Embiid that he has his back whenever needed. Maxey and Embiid have been tight since Maxey joined the league in 2020. Despite his inconsistent play in his rookie season, Maxey swiftly established himself as the team’s full-time starter in his sophomore year.

I’ll never love an athlete more than Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/1N3UJ4gjIu

— Aidan Doc 🧸 (@AidanDoc__) July 16, 2025

The Sixers are optimistic that Maxey and Embiid will continue their success in the 2025–2026 NBA season. It’s unknown when the great center will be able to resume his peak performance after Embiid had a second knee surgery. Maxey and the Sixers will continue to assist Embiid during his recuperation for the time being.

Joel Embiid admitted that James Harden does not talk to him anymore since the latter’s exit

The chaotic administration and business practices of the Philadelphia 76ers have even strained a close bond between James Harden and Joel Embiid. The 76ers were something special back in 2021, 22, and 2023, but it all went downhill since Embiid got injured.

The strained 76ers’ management also came into light when they had a tussle with their former player, breaking his friendship with Embiid in the process.

No one knows this, but even James [Harden] is not talking to me. That’s the part I don’t like about being ‘that guy,’ because it puts you in the middle of those situations. Because if you ask James, he probably believes I had something to do with him not being here.

Joel Embiid told ESPN

I wrote about Joel. https://t.co/Rm7IQvH8Bi

— Dotun Akintoye (@YNGNKL) July 16, 2025

In addition to this, Embiid spoke on many matters regarding the 76ers’ poor management of the team roster. For now, Harden has not commented on Embiid’s latest remarks about him but may soon chime in on this matter if questioned in the future. It will be interesting to watch how this situation unfolds between the two former teammates in the future.

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