"If I go 5-20, we get blown out": Joel Embiid reacts to Jayson Tatum having a superteam in Boston
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is still on the case of the Boston Celtics winning the NBA title last season. Embiid said that they won because they had a "superteam" led by his Olympic teammate Jayson Tatum.
The one-time league MVP said this on Tuesday's episode of the Check Ball Show on YouTube, where he highlighted how he also would have won if he was in a similar situation.
"I told him the same thing. If I go 5-for-20 [on the floor], we get blown out," said Embiid.
Tatum and the Celtics capped an impressive 2023-24 campaign by dominantly winning the championship against the Dallas Mavericks. It was the franchise's 18th NBA title.
Apart from Tatum, Boston had All-Stars Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in its fold. The team also boasted heady veterans such as Al Horford and Derrick White, who joined Tatum and Holiday in Team USA's Men's Basketball Olympic roster after Kawhi Leonard's exit.
Meanwhile, Embiid led the Sixers to a gallant stand in the opening round of the playoffs before losing to the New York Knicks in seven highly competitive matches.
The team finished the season with a 47-35 record. Embiid was limited to just 39 games because of injuries, but he still wound up with a career-high 34.7 points per contest. This was supplemented by 11 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals in 34 minutes.
A bright spot for Philadelphia was the emergence of guard Tyrese Maxey as an All-Star, who averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and a steal in 70 games.
Joel Embiid and Sixers now have a superteam of their own
While Embiid harped on not having much support in their last campaign, the same should not be said come next season as the Philadlephia 76ers have formed a "superteam" of their own by adding All-Star wingman Paul George to their roster.
PG left the LA Clippers and signed with the 76ers for a four-year, $212-million contract. He will join forces with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to form a 'Big 3' and be a more formidable force in the Eastern Conference.
George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steal while earning his ninth All-Star selection last season.
Apart from George, the Sixers also brought in veterans Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Reggie Jackson. Drummond is expected to be the primary backup for Embiid at the center spot, while Gordon and Jackson are expected to shore up the guard rotation that includes Kyle Lowry.
Another addition to the team was Miami Heat's Caleb Martin, who will team up with George, KJ Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr. at the wing position.