For just about his entire career, Joel Embiid has been one of the NBA’s most dominant players—and perhaps its most dominant narrative figure. He was the crown jewel of the Process; the author and victim of postseason high-drama; the B-side to Nikola Jokic in contentious MVP debates that played out along epistemologic, analytic and racial fault lines. Every season of the last decade has been informed by either his presence or his absence. His life—the sin waves of tragedy and triumph, loyalty and betrayal—became a rich text for fans and pundits to pick through or project upon. Now, though, with the Sixers off to a 7-4 start, Embiid has receded to the background.
While Embiid has been technically healthy, the Sixers have painstakingly meted out his minutes like ICU doctors administering fentanyl doses. Through the first few weeks of the season, Embiid has averaged just 23.3 minutes per game and hasn’t played in back-to-backs. Of the 480 minutes that the Sixers have played, Embiid has been on the court for just 140 of them. In those 140 minutes, though, Embiid looks plausibly Embiid-ish. At the very least, he’s producing Embiid-ishly; his 19.7 points are the most ever from a player averaging less than 24 minutes per game.
Beyond his limited minutes, Embiid has also assumed a relatively limited workload: he’s part of the offense rather than the entirety of it. His 32.2 percent three-point rate is by far the highest of his career, as he’s traded some punishing post-up work for less demanding spot-up shots. Similarly, more than 55 percent shots have been taken without dribbling beforehand, another career high.
Accordingly, he’s made minor—if notable—concessions to his new limitations. His usage rate is the highest on the team, but it’s no longer the highest in the history of the team; his 38 points per 100 possessions are a top 15 mark in the league, but they’re a far cry from the 50 points per 100 possessions that he averaged two seasons ago.
As such, the Sixers have found success in the present by preparing for their post-Embiid future. No longer relegated to the negative space around Embiid, Tyrese Maxey has emerged one of the best players in the league, averaging 33.2 points per game. To be sure, Maxey’s hot start is somewhat inflated by the fact that he plays 41.1 minutes per game, but the main reason he’s putting up better stats is that he’s become a better player.
For the first time, he’s shown a mastery of the details that separate All-NBA players from All-Stars: he’s playing with intention, not just ambition. On his way to the rim, he now places as much care on his last step as on his first step, timing his gather to ensnare defenders and draw fouls. He’s posting a 36.2 percent free throw rate, compared to just 26.6 percent last year. As a passer, he’s simultaneously upped both the quantity (8.2 assists per game) and quality (3.8 rim assists per 100 possessions) of his deliveries,
Just as the Sixers once built themselves in Embiid’s image, they’ve now adopted Maxey’s buzzy hyperactivity. Despite playing at a below-average pace, they throw the second-most passes. Relatedly, they also average the second-fewest dribbles per touch. In turn, everybody eats. The Sixers have five players averaging more than 16 points per game—and four of them do so on above-average efficiency. Although the Sixers’ per game stats are somewhat skewed by the fact that Nick Nurse runs a tight rotation, the larger per possession picture is clear: this is an elite offense. Their 120.1 offensive rating is a top five mark in the league and the best in team history.
When the ball is really popping, the Sixers’ halfcourt offense almost looks like a souped-up version of last year’s Pacers, but one oriented around genuine star-power rather than the power of friendship and/or the occult. Embiid and Maxey are the headliners, but Quentin Grimes is an ace shooter and Kelly Oubre is a multi-purpose scorer. Most encouraging, VJ Edgecomb, the Sixers prized rookie, looks like Dwyane Wade and is the first player since Magic Johnson to average more than 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in his first five games.
Between Maxey, Edgecomb and Jared McCain (who missed the first eight games while nursing a torn thumb ligament), the 76ers have the most electrifying collection of young backcourt talent in recent memory. Between Joel Embiid and Paul George (who’s currently nursing the ravages of time), the Sixers have over $300 million committed to a pair of rapidly atrophying millennials.
Herein lies the central tension of the 76ers: an endless horizon against a biological clock. Maxey, Edgecomb and McCain must race to level up their games before Embiid and George fade into obsolescence; Embiid and George must stave off decline long enough to still contribute as the guards peak. As such, Maxey’s explosion represents perhaps Philadelphia’s last—and best—chance to contend for the foreseeable future. To fulfill an exciting future, the Sixers must reanimate the withering promise of their past.