Joel Embiid isn't happy that details of the 76ers' team meeting after Monday's loss were leaked, telling reporters after Wednesday's road loss to the Grizzlies, “Who leaked that?'' Whatever it is, it's really bad.”
ESPN reported Tuesday that veteran guard Kyle Lowry called a team meeting after falling to 2-11 the night before, and Tyrese Maxey accused Embiid of being late “for everything.”
“We talked about a lot of things [during the meeting]” Embiid said Wednesday. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I don't want to go into details, but overall [with Maxey] It probably took 30 seconds. But again, it's Joel Embiid, so everything has to be thrown out of proportion.
“Anything is fine. I'll take care of everything. I'm the cause of everything, so I'll take all responsibility.”
Embiid, 30, and Maxey, 24, are said to have a good relationship, with mutual accountability.
“Tyrese loves Big Fella, but it's the elephant in the room,” a person who attended the meeting told ESPN.
After another loss on Wednesday, the two All-Stars spent a lot of time talking to each other “without any noticeable tension,” the Inquirer reported.
“That's our relationship. There's no malicious intent,” Embiid said. “I like it when people tell me what's not working and what I need to improve on, even if it's just that part. [the tardiness] Maybe it happened once or twice when you weren't playing.
“So I need to get better. I need to be perfect. I need to get to the point, so that's what I'm going to do. I've always done that.”
Sixers players also told head coach Nick Nurse in meetings that they wanted more discipline, while coaches asked for more attention to detail, ESPN reported.
Embiid, who missed the first nine games of the season, was also furious with the media, and one person in particular, for mentioning his son and late brother in a column criticizing the former MVP's credibility earlier this month.
The Sixers star pushed Inquire columnist Marcus Hayes over the piece in the locker room after a game on Nov. 2, and the NBA suspended him for three games.
The 76ers, who own the league's worst record, return to action Friday at home against the Nets.
The 76ers are currently battling another injury after Paul George left Wednesday's game with a hyperextended left knee.
