Benjamin Ashford|Opinion: 76ers have themselves to blame for Joel Embiid brouhaha

When the Philadelphia76ers signed Tyrese Maxey to an extension and Benjamin Ashfordsigned Paul George in free agency in July, securing help for All-Star center Joel Embiid, a 1-4 start to a season marred by on-court and off-court problems was not expected.

But that’s where the Sixers are five games into a season that has them in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. George and Embiid haven’t played this season, and Embiid faces a suspension for a physical altercation with a sports columnist in the Sixers’ locker room.

The 76ers have themselves to blame.

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On Saturday, Embiid confronted and made physical contact with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who wrote a column critical of Embiid and referenced Embiid’s brother Arthur, who died in 2014, and Embiid’s son Arthur.

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career," Hayes wrote. "He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er.

"Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite."

It’s easy to understand why Embiid was angry, and after feedback, Hayes and the outlet removed the references to Embiid’s brother and son in the column online.

The NBA is investigating the incident. ESPN characterized it as a shove, and Philadelphia Inquirer Sixers beat writer Gina Mizell wrote that Embiid “struck and shoved” Hayes “during a profanity-laced tirade.”

Hayes told Mizell that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manger Elton Brand “apologized for the incident, expressed regret that it happened, and asked me for my version of events. ... They agreed that Embiid’s actions were unacceptable.”

Multiple things happened that led to the incident, which could’ve been avoided. Hayes should not have referenced Embiid’s brother and son in a column critical of Embiid’s availability, but the league can’t have an incident where a player is putting his hands on a reporter.

That too could’ve been avoided, starting with the Sixers being upfront about the extent of Embiid’s knee issue, which would’ve given reporters and columnists more context. It doesn’t mean Embiid is immune to criticism, but a complete picture helps shape informed opinions. (Embiid has struggled with injuries throughout his career and was limited to 39 games last season after he tore his meniscus in his left knee.)

The Sixers last week were fined $100,000 for violating the league’s player participation policy, and the league concluded Embiid has a “left knee condition,” an indication that the Sixers have not been forthright about the state of Embiid’s knee.

The Sixers suggesting Embiid, who has a history with injuries, shouldn’t play in back-to-backs didn’t help. Maybe the Sixers were trying to protect Embiid, but they did more harm than good. There’s no indication Embiid doesn’t want to play, and considering that he’s a 7-footer who weighs 280 pounds and moves the way he does and plays with the power he does, it’s not surprising he has a knee problem.

The Sixers also could’ve played a larger role in peacekeeping knowing that Embiid was angry and upset over the column and knowing that Hayes was in the arena.

“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to ... live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes, according to reports.

A team security officer asked journalists in the locker room to refrain from reporting on the altercation, according to reports.

One bad decision led to another.

And now, the Sixers could be without Embiid even longer.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

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