Joel Embiid discusses leadership, growth of Sixers' young backcourt
Joel Embiid discusses the leadership and growth of young Philadelphia 76ers backcourt mates Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward after a solid 2025-26 season, there is a school of thought that the Sixers are now on the timeline of young backcourt mates Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. The Sixers still have some elder statesmen in Joel Embiid and Paul George, but it feels as if the era of Maxey and Edgecombe is here. Maxey took big steps forward in the 2025-26 season.
He continued his growth as a leader, was named an All-Star for the second time in his career--first as a starter--and made sure the Sixers played a certain level every single night. It was an impressive showing for him in his sixth season, and he did a great job of bringing Edgecombe along quickly. The performance of Maxey and Edgecombe caught the eye of Embiid, who acknowledged how terrific both players were in their leadership and growth.
"It’s good," Embiid first started on Maxey. "Obviously, when you're on a team, as a group, you kind of need everybody to just pitch in and do a bunch of different things. I’m quiet, but I lead in a different way.
These guys will tell you. Tyrese is always happy, amazing to talk to. Great spirits.