January 1, Embiid Declares No Star Will Take a Back Seat on Loaded 76ers Roster

Wyatt’s Take

• Joel Embiid flatly rejected any notion that Philadelphia’s big names must sacrifice their games for the team to win.
• The 76ers now carry LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Embiid on one roster, a mix that tests whether superstars can coexist without ego.
• Embiid insists each player will simply do what he does best and let the results follow.

The Philadelphia 76ers open the regular season next week carrying more star power than any other team in the league.

LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid now share the same locker room after blockbuster trades and free-agent moves this summer.

Embiid made clear he will not dial back his game for anyone.

“I’m against the concept of sacrificing,” Embiid said after Friday’s preseason finale. “I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we’re going to support you. … I don’t think anybody has to take a back seat.”

James and Brown echoed the same message after the Sixers fell 125-120 in overtime to the Boston Celtics.

“We’re not where we want to be yet,” Brown said. “It’s a part of coming together, a new group with a bunch of guys, different style, but we just got to keep getting better every day.”

James added the early chemistry issues are expected.

“We’re getting there,” James said. “Obviously we are a couple of weeks in, so we’re still working on our rhythm, working on our kinks, and it’s not going to be perfect.”

The 76ers tip off the 2026-27 season Tuesday night against the reigning champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Wyatt Matters

Hard-working Americans respect athletes who earn their spot and refuse to shrink for anyone. Embiid’s message is simple: do your job, trust your teammates, and let the scoreboard decide.