Charles Barkley issues warning to 76ers’ front office, Joel Embiid following last night’s season opener against the Bucks

After yet another drama-filled offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers got back to business last night against the Bucks, falling just short of a thrilling comeback victory 118-117 in Milwaukee. 

Following the game, Charles Barkley issued a warning to the Sixers’ organization regarding reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid. Barkley is under the impression that the Sixers are close to losing Embiid and fears the constant changes and unrest inside the organization will eventually lead to the Sixers’ franchise center leaving Philly. 

Charles Barkley on Joel Embiid’s Future in Philadelphia

“The Sixers are on thin ice right now with their MVP,” Barkley said. “If I’m Joel Embiid … first of all, you guys chose between Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons. You all chose that, now. Then I had to go through the Simmons thing. Now, I’m in the middle of my prime. I’m MVP. I’ve been second two times and I’ve won one. And I’ve got to deal with this noise.”

“It’s no doubt in my mind Joel Embiid gonna say, ‘You know what? No hard feelings. I gotta go.’”

Barkley would know what that feels like. After playing eight years in Philly, the Sixers traded him to the Phoenix Suns in 1992 after he grew frustrated with the direction of the team. Previously, Barkley mentioned the trade, saying he no longer wanted to play for a “bad organization”. 

Honestly, I don’t disagree with what Barkley is saying but at the same time, I feel like we are a few years away from this actually happening. The Sixers, while still dealing with James Harden, still have a few solid pieces and will have much more flexibility to build around Embiid after the 2023-24 season when they finally rid themselves of Harden and a bad Tobias Harris contract. 

76ers vs Bucks Game Notes:

The Philadelphia 76ers opened the 2023-24 season last night in Milwaukee, falling just short of a thrilling comeback victory in a 118-117 loss to the Bucks. 

In his Bucks’ debut, Damian Lillard scored 39 points, the largest in any Milwaukee debut, passing Terry Cummings who scored 24 back in 1984. 

For the Sixers, Joel Embiid, a notoriously slow starter to any NBA season, scored 24 points on 9-for-21 shooting. Tyrese Maxey scored 31 and Kelly Oubre Jr. who was making his Sixers’ debut, posted 27 of the Sixers’ 32 bench points on 9-for-11 shooting. 

Philadelphia 76ers Scoring Leaders 

• Tyrese Maxey: 31 PTS, 8 AST, 2 STL
• Kelly Oubre Jr: 27 PTS, 9-11 FG, 5-6 3PT
• Joel Embiid: 24 PTS, 6 AST, 7 TO 
• Tobias Harris: 20 PTS, 8-9 FG, 3-3 3PT

In his Bucks’ debut, Damian Lillard scored 39 points, the largest in any Milwaukee debut, passing Terry Cummings who scored 24 back in 1984. 

For the Sixers, Joel Embiid, a notoriously slow starter to any NBA season, scored 24 points on 9-for-21 shooting. Tyrese Maxey scored 31 and Kelly Oubre Jr. who was making his Sixers’ debut, posted 27 of the Sixers’ 32 bench points on 9-for-11 shooting. 

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