• Loading stock data...
Sunday, December 1, 2024

Big-Money Sixers Lack Support For Banged-Up Joel Embiid

  • The 76ers are one loss away from another early exit amid Embiid’s prime.
  • It’s concerning for a team with the seventh-highest payroll and minimal financial flexibility.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid has done everything he could to lead the 76ers this season, but the battered big man isn’t getting any support when he needs it most. 

On Tuesday, Miami routed Philly by 35 points to take a 3-2 series lead, and the Sixers extended a dubious streak — all three losses have been by double-digits. Embiid, who missed the first two games of the series with an orbital fracture, scored just 17 points — and received next to no help from his teammates, including James Harden. 

For a team whose $149 million payroll is the seventh-highest in the NBA and has minimal financial flexibility going forward, it’s looking like another wasted season amid Embiid’s prime.

  • Embiid was a finalist for MVP and won the NBA scoring title (30.6 PPG) — the Sixers were 31-16 when he was the only star this season, before the Harden trade.
  • Harden — who’s slated for a $270 million extension — scored 14 points on 5-13 shooting in Game 5.
  • Tobias Harris (17.2 PPG in the playoffs) hasn’t lived up to expectations despite being the team’s second-highest-paid player ($36M) — but is still owed $76.9 million over the next two seasons.

There’s only so much Embiid can do alone, and beyond Tyrese Maxey — a second-year guard chipping in 20.8 PPG on 49.4% shooting — his teammates aren’t stepping up.

Meanwhile, Miami’s Jimmy Butler — the second star on a 2018-19 Sixers team that made the Eastern Conference semifinals — is fourth in scoring this postseason (28.3 PPG).

The well-rounded Heat have exposed serious cracks in the Sixers’ foundation — Philly (+300) is a heavy underdog to win the series.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.

Can an Elite Women’s Soccer School Survive the New College Sports Moneyball?

Santa Clara faces an uphill battle in the new college sports landscape.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Happy Thanksgiving From FOS Today

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 21, 2024

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?

Dodgers All-In Approach Clear As They Add to Championship Core

The defending-champion Dodgers are not resting on their laurels, but wielding their financial might.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) runs the ball against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) and defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the second half at SoFi Stadium.
November 25, 2024

Eagles Selling Stakes That Value Team at Sky-High $8 Billion

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie had been exploring minority sales for months.
Sep 25, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson (center), coach Rex Ryan (left) and general manager Mike Tannenbaum on the sidelines before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum.
November 25, 2024

Woody Johnson Brings in GM He Fired to Find Replacement for GM..

Mike Tannenbaum is the last Jets GM to guide them to the playoffs.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) smiles while answering a question Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, after an Indiana Fever practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
November 22, 2024

Caitlin Clark a ‘Vital’ Part of Cincinnati NWSL Bid As League Expands

The WNBA superstar has joined an NWSL expansion bid in Cincinnati.
Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis acknowledges a fan before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
November 21, 2024

Mark Davis to Unload More of the Raiders

He’s agreed to give 15% to new owners, shortly after the Brady sale.
Aaron Rodgers
November 19, 2024

Jets Clean House With Only Aaron Rodgers Remaining

Joe Douglas’s firing wasn’t a surprise, but the timing was.
Michele Kang
November 19, 2024

Michele Kang Drops Whopping $30 Million on U.S. Soccer

It’s the largest gift to the federation focused on girls and women.