Last season was undoubtedly heartbreaking for Joel Embiid. From being the favorite contender in the NBA MVP race to getting disqualified from the title run sums up the Philadelphia star’s overall season. Injuries took their toll on the Cameroonian star, and thanks to the league’s new 65-game rule, Embiid also had to say goodbye to the prestigious individual award. But not this time! The 7-footer is ready to take up the challenges and the physical demands as the new season approaches and proclaimed beforehand that nothing can stop him from suiting up for the Philly side. Not even physical toil and burglary.

During an interview session in the Bahamas, where the Sixers are currently training, Embiid mentioned that it would be tough for him to not appear on the hardwood in the upcoming season when a reporter asked him. “If, they have to, punch me and slap me, you know, take my stuff away from me not to get on the court,” as Embiid was speaking Tyrese Maxey cut him off by saying, “Oh yeah, that’s me. My job” and a chorus laughter filled in the room.

Smiling at his teammates’ teasing, the Sixers’ center added, “They’re gonna have to do it. I might get mad. I might curse people out. But I think it’s a relationship. We’ve been working together for years now. Yeah. I think now I look at the big picture. And I’ve always listened to them, but I think, it’s more of a time to actually listen to them and see what they have to say.”

Embiid does have a cupboard decorated with numerous accolades, but there’s an empty space kept for the prestigious championship title which he has been desperately chasing for years. Despite the sarcastic jabs, the 30-year-old has big plans for Maxey in the new season, which could end his quest.

Joel Embiid talks about his special plan for the upcoming season

For almost a decade, Joel Embiid carried the Philadelphia 76ers on his shoulders. But now the franchise has managed to arrange the other two integral members with whom the big man can form a Big 3. Embiid and Maxey already have the chemistry, and he wants all the new acquisitions, including veteran, Paul George, to get on the same page and march towards the championship goal.

“I think we’ve got guys that just fit on and off the court. That’s what you need when it comes to team-building and culture. I’m excited to just go out there,” Embiid stated earlier in a presser. Further explaining his plan for the 2024-25 regular season, the Process said, “I feel like my job this year is to empower those guys, especially Tyrese. I think there’s another step he can take, and he’s going to take it. I’m going to go out there and just let him be the guy.”

When a reporter asked Embiid whether he spoke to Maxey about how he could take up the leadership role, the center replied that the Texan has all the positive qualities required for the job. “He’s grown a lot, really, since last year. Taking more of the role to be a vocal leader,” he added. Embiid is ready to give the support Maxey needs this crucial season. But load management will certainly come into play given Embiid’s injury issues in recent times. And that’s when the Sixers’ championship mettle will be tested in the stacked East this season.