Maxey Challenges Embiid in Team Meeting

This Sixers season feels like one of those cartoons where a character says, “At least things can’t get any worse!” And then an anvil or something falls on their head. We’ll discuss the latest anvil today.

We also have some rare good news out of Villanova and a roundup of Eagles / Rams predictions.

Let’s jump in.

In the email today:

• 🚨 Sixers Cannot Seem to Either Reason With Joel Embiid or Hold Him Accountable

• ⛪️ Villanova Lands an AD and Blows Out Penn

• 👀 What They’re Saying About Eagles / Rams

  • 📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

  • 📊 Poll

  • 🔗 Links

  • 📺 Coming Up

Jack Nicholson’s last Oscar win came for playing Marvin Udall in a movie called “As Good as It Gets.”

It wasn’t Nicholson’s most memorable or compelling performance — not by a long shot. Arguably, Nicholson’s best line in the movie is what it’s mostly remembered for.

Nicholson’s character is an author who is asked how, as a man, he writes female characters so convincingly. His response? “I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.”

The Sixers have a serious reason and accountability problem with Joel Embiid.

Yep, that Joel Embiid. The Joel Embiid who signed a three-year, $193 million extension in September and then missed all of the preseason and the team’s first nine games, three via suspension.

Given the money and the injury absence, a reasonable person would most likely decide to do quite literally the minimum by participating fully in any team activities he could. Accountable people behave in an accountable fashion.

Does this sound like an accountable superstar to you?

The sports media has spilled a lot of bytes on these here interwebs about this story. Embiid put the focus on himself; he shouldn’t be surprised by the response.

Perhaps most surprising is, even given all the ways Embiid has failed the Sixers so far this season, there are still voices out there giving him outs.

No. Absolutely not.

Embiid’s career is his to own, the good and the bad. He can’t talk openly about how much he has done for Philadelphia and then shy away from the responsibility of being a God-to-honest leader. Being injured and late all the time doesn’t scream “MVP.”

We wish the Sixers a lot of luck turning both this Embiid situation and this season around.

In the final analysis, though, if Embiid doesn’t want to lead, win, act reasonably or be accountable, the Sixers can’t make him.

The vibes at Lancaster and Ithan Avenues this basketball season have been rough. Starting out 2-3 with two of the losses (Columbia, Virginia) coming by double digits was bad.

Losing to St. Joe’s on Hawk Hill was worse.

Last night, Villanova hosted another Ivy League squad which also happens to be a Big 5 team. Under normal circumstances, a visit from Penn would be attractive. And yet.

The fans who showed up might have been a little concerned with pregame word about the starting five. If Kyle Neptune is really serious about correcting Villanova’s course, this sort of thing isn’t the way to get there.

Apparently, being late to team activities is just a Philadelphia basketball jawn. Poplar eventually played, and Villanova found themselves tied 26-26 in the first half before going on a 17-0 run to end the half on their way to a 93-49 rout.

Villanova (and Neptune) needed this win bad. The university’s announcement from earlier in the day, though, is probably more what the basketball team and the entire Wildcat athletic program needed.

The short version of the long story of Roedl’s appointment looks like this:

• Roedl succeeds Mark Jackson, who moved to Northwestern after nine years.

• A Villanova alum (Class of 1997), Roedl most recently served as Oregon's deputy athletic director/COO

• He also previously worked at Temple for eight years, overseeing basketball operations.

• Roedl leaves Oregon with the Ducks atop the AP College Football Top 25 and with the men’s basketball team coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Villanova President Peter M. Donohue expressed confidence in Roedl's ability to navigate the evolving college athletics landscape and uphold the university’s legacy of athletic and academic excellence.

For Villanova’s sake, Donohue had better be right. And Roedl had better be the right hire.

The best Eagles coverage is always local, but it’s helpful to get a national perspective as well.

Here’s a look at what they’re saying about your Birds against the Rams this week:

From CBS Sports: Rams 28 - Eagles 21

“The Eagles have righted their issues from earlier in the year to take a hold of the NFC East. But this is a long trip against a good team that can't really afford any more losses. With the Rams offense back on track with return to health of their receivers, I think they show up here and pull off the upset.”

From Sporting News: Rams 27 - Eagles 24

“The Rams' defense is keeping them in games, and when Matthew Stafford can find the right passing game matchups for Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, they are hard to beat. Look for Sean McVay to scheme away from Cooper DeJean in Vic Fangio's defense and be more patient with the run than most teams vs. Philadelphia. Their speedy youth and rising pass rush can contain Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley just enough.”

From Bleacher Report: Eagles will cover the (-3) spread

“Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams continue to show that they're not going away. They got back to .500 on Sunday with a win over the New England Patriots in which Stafford threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns.

“The problem for Los Angeles this week is that the offense is so heavily reliant on Stafford and the passing game. The Philadelphia Eagles have quietly developed the league's best secondary over the past few weeks, and they'll carry extra preparation time into this matchup.

. . .

“The Eagles may not run away with this game because of L.A.'s young, talented defensive front. However, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and the rest of the offense should find enough room to pull ahead.

“Home dogs can be dangerous, especially in prime time. However, the Rams just lost at home to the Miami Dolphins last Monday. The Eagles are a much more complete team than the Dolphins, and they'll show that while winning by more than a field goal in Week 12.”

From Action Network: Eagles will cover the (-2.5) spread

“The Eagles are 6-0 since the bye and have been crushing teams with 100 or more yards than the opponent in all six games.

“They also rank as the top team in defensive DVOA in that stretch, just allowing 211 yards per game. No opponent has hit 300 yards, including electric offenses in Cincinnati and Washington.

“I love how Philly matches up with the Rams. The Eagles' young cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have a tall task against the two-headed monster in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

“However, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio forces long drives and baits mistakes. Because of that, the Eagles have forced a staggering 11 turnovers in the past four games.

“The Rams have a great, young defensive line highlighted by rookie Jared Verse, but I'm trusting Philadelphia's strong offensive line — especially with Jordan Mailata back from injury.

“Before the season, I wanted to wait out an early coordinator change in Philly and then buy. Well, I think I'm ready to buy in the Eagles' futures, as they look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Give me the Eagles at -2.5 . . . There will be plenty of Eagles fans in L.A. as well, so it just makes sense.”

📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

On November 20, 1960, Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik leveled “The Hit” on Giants running back Frank Gifford.

The iconic photo:

Here’s Jim Montgomery with more:

📊 Poll

Results from yesterday:

🔗 Links

• 🏆️ Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t impressed by NBA Cup.

• ⚾️ Jayson Stark is bullish on Bryce Harper’s Hall of Fame chances.

• 🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal’s career ended with Spain’s ouster from Davis Cup.

• ✈️ The Jets fired their general manager.

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Manchester City convinced Pep Guardiola to stay for one more season.

📺 Coming Up

Games before our next send.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

• Hurricanes vs. Flyers, 7:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)

• Sixers at Grizzlies, 8:00 p.m. (NBC Sports Philadelphia+)

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

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