“Who comes out looking bad in this, Joel Embiid. Who comes out looking good, Tyrese Maxey” Trey Kirby of the No Dunks podcast was one of the few people who did not waste time in fueling speculation regarding the latest leak to come out regarding the Philadelphia 76ers. If dealing with the worst record during the ongoing season wasn’t enough for the franchise, things got more complicated after details of a disagreement between Embiid and Maxey unwillingly became public knowledge.

As of now, no official answer has surfaced on the source of the leak. Despite this, the renowned Center didn’t waste time venting his frustration about the information getting out without consent.In the aftermath of the 76ers’ loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, Joel Embiid took some questions from the media. Under normal circumstances, the questions would have revolved on how the team could recover from their 2-12 win record. However, as questions about the leak also popped up, Embiid didn’t choose to stay silent.

In fact, he outright stated, “Whoever leaked that is a real piece of sh*t.” Embiid did not choose to deny that an argument between him and Tyrese Maxey hadn’t occurred. However, for him, the leak was nothing but a personal attack.

“We talked about a lot of things [during the meeting],” said the Center. “I don’t want to get into the details, but that whole thing [with Maxey] probably took 30 seconds. But then again, it’s Joel Embiid, so we’ve got to make everything blown out of proportion. It’s whatever. I’ll take it all. I’m the reason for everything, so I’ll take the blame for everything.”

Shams Charania was amongst the first to reveal details of what had transpired. According to him, the leak had revealed that a team meeting took place after the 76ers’ lost to the Miami Heat. With that defeat, the 76ers’ win record stood at an abysmal 2-11. Tyrese Maxey had reportedly taken a shot at Joel Embiid for being late “for everything”. All of it as part to reportedly explain the effect that Embiid has on the 76ers locker room, which includes everyone from other players to the coaching staff. The unnamed source, who was reportedly in the meeting, also gave an official quote, stating “Tyrese loves Big Fella, but this is the elephant in the room.”

This is not the first time the 30-year-old Center has expressed disappointment at how he has been highlighted/covered outside the basketball court. It was only a few weeks ago when Embiid got into an altercation with reporter Marcus Hayes. The latter had mentioned Embiid’s late younger brother, Arthur, in one of his critiques of the player. Before that, Embiid had called out the hate comments that had come his way, on social media, when he visited The Check Ball Show. He went on the record to state “I’m probably the most hated guy in the league. I don’t know why because… I’m just cool. I don’t know what’s there to hate about me.”

Amidst the 76ers precarious position, reports of friction within team members is the last thing anyone would want. Fortunately, in his denial that the feud between him and Maxey was ‘serious’, Embiid has some backup. From Maxey himself!

Confirming that he wanted to “speak up” to Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey reveals wanting to move on: “It is what it is”

Before Joel Embiid got the chance to share his thoughts on the leak, Tyrese Maxey reacted first. His comments were reported by ‘The Athletic’ reporter Tony Jones. Similarly to Embiid, Maxey did not deny that the mentioned ‘discussion’ had taken place between him and the Center. In fact, the 24-year-old Power Forward was glad to get what he wanted to say off his chest.

“I wanted to speak up,” said Maxey. “I felt the need to do that because I wanted to share that we are better than what we have shown on the floor. There was a lot said, but it is what it is. We said what we had to say and we have to figure out a way to move on to the rest of the season. Everyone understands what’s at stake. Everyone is feeling the hurt.”

Speculation continues running rampant on who the leak could have been. Trey Kirby believes it was Klutch Sports, since they represent both Tyrese Maxey and 76ers head coach Nick Nurse. One theory even linked Nick Nurse as the leak. Only because the phrase “elephant in the room” had been used by him once. Whoever the leak was, it has not helped the 76ers position. The team now has limited chances remaining in the season. They have to make the best of it without further distractions.