Tyrese Maxey believes the Philadelphia 76ers are in a completely different position heading into the new NBA season, and it all comes down to Joel Embiid’s health.
The former MVP has been available throughout training camp and the preseason, giving Philadelphia an opportunity to build chemistry with its revamped roster.
“Changes everything,” Maxey said Thursday when discussing Embiid’s availability, according to ESPN. “You can put in more packages. There’s been times where he hasn’t been healthy and we get into the game and now we’re trying to learn on the flow.”
Embiid’s injury history has been a constant issue for Philadelphia, with the 2023 MVP averaging just 49 appearances per season across his 10 years on the court.
Last season, the 32-year-old appeared in just 38 games while dealing with right hip complications, left knee management and appendicitis.
His limited availability has regularly forced the Sixers to adjust their offense without having enough time to practice together.
That becomes particularly important this season, with major additions including LeBron James and Jaylen Brown needing to develop chemistry with Embiid.
Maxey, who has spent six seasons alongside the star center, understands how difficult that adjustment can be.
“If you haven’t been playing with a big like Joel, there’s not many. It’s very hard, very difficult to learn certain things,” Maxey explained. “…So, with him being here, we can drill those things over and over. It’s been what, like two, three weeks that we’ve had just drilling and drilling. That’s a good thing.”
Unlike previous seasons, Philadelphia has been able to spend weeks working through offensive sets with Embiid on the floor rather than making adjustments during regular-season games.
Embiid himself also expressed optimism about his physical condition following last season.
“As confident as I’ve ever been,” Embiid said when discussing his health moving forward. “I think, obviously, [my knee] was the biggest concern, and I’m not thinking about it. And as long as we keep doing what we’ve been doing, I won’t have to think about it anymore.”
With Embiid healthy and Philadelphia’s new-look roster getting valuable time together, the Sixers will be hoping that preparation translates into results when the regular season begins.
READ MORE: Walker Kessler Makes Immediate Impact in Lakers’ Preseason Debut