The Sixers Lack of Leadership

What the Sixers are lacking, that Boston and Milwaukee have, is a leader.

Those teams best players are their leaders. Embiid, for all his talent, is no leader. He is often injured, and even when healthy he just does not have that quality - too much grimacing, and raising his arms dramatically in exasperation when a call does not go his way.   Too much clowning, at other times, to be taken seriously, and going to the All-Star game when the team needs his left foot to be totally healthy down the stretch.

I am a sports psychiatrist and I have an expertise in the areas of team cohesion, team chemistry, etc. The Sixers have to look to the buyout market for a player who has that ability and also can make threes. Plus, would it be too much to ask for someone that can be counted on in the last minute or two of a tight game? Espcially a reliable option to count on to make the last shot. A leader capable of this inspires confidence in the rest of the team, is a bulwark against meltdowns and facilitates strong finishes.

A sports team must have a leader to win a championship. Look at last year’s NBA finals - Curry and Tatum; MLB - Altuve and Harper; and the just concluded Super Bowl, Mahomes and Hurts.