Joel Embiid is about to enter his most important NBA season yet, and some are questioning whether he will be up to the challenge.
The Philadelphia 76ers star center Embiid was the subject of an unflattering report this week by Max Kellerman of The Ringer. During the latest episode of the “Game Over” podcast, Kellerman said that he had heard negative things about Embiid’s work ethic during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
“The way they really compete and impress each other is by who works the hardest,” said Kellerman of the NBA stars who played for Team USA at the Olympics. “And that was not Embiid at all. It was the opposite for Embiid … Isn’t that a problem for the Sixers? Or does LeBron [James] get on and help fix that?”
Here is the full clip of Kellerman’s remarks.
max kellerman tells rich paul he’s heard joel embiid has a poor work ethic and questions if it could become a problem for lebron and the 76ers
— the aesthetic (@theaestheticnba) September 1, 2026
(: game over) https://t.co/wKaIf0GhEp pic.twitter.com/q2Knj3AYIZ
Questions about Embiid’s work ethic are really nothing new. You might recall that the seven-footer hurt his public perception with a 2018 viral video in which he ate a burger while getting his feet rubbed prior to a game. Then we learned earlier this offseason that LeBron James (before deciding to sign with the 76ers) reportedly had major concerns about playing with Embiid, who has not hit 40 games played in a single season since 2022-23.
But in fairness to the former NBA MVP Embiid, 32, he was managing a knee injury at the 2024 Olympics and might not have pushed himself too hard in Paris due to the sheer volume of talent on the USA roster. Embiid also looked extremely slim in an offseason workout photo several weeks ago, so he may deserve the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise.
