‘There Needs to Be Sacrifice’ — Analyst Issues Reality Check to Joel Embiid After LeBron James’ Move to 76ers

LeBron James ended his eight-season stint with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer and took his talents to Philadelphia, teaming up with Joel Embiid. With “The Process” having a star-studded roster around him, hopes for the 76ers entering the 2026-27 season are higher than ever.

With that hope comes pressure. So as the regular-season opener approaches, Kevin O’Connor has delivered a hard truth for Embiid.

Kevin O’Connor Gets Real About Joel Embiid’s Views on Sacrifice With the 76ers

Speaking on Monday’s episode of “The Kevin O’Connor Show,” O’Connor discussed the pressure on Embiid, citing the potential of the 76ers’ roster heading into 2026-27.

“The star under the most pressure this year is Joel Embiid. Because you got LeBron James on your roster, you got Tyrese Maxey, you got Jaylen Brown. You have this team that’s entering the year with the hopes of finally getting past the second round of the playoffs. Not just that, but winning an NBA Finals,” O’Connor said.

The Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst then explained why Embiid faces pressure both to stay healthy and to deliver in the playoffs:

“This is a guy who has reached great heights as an MVP, is a star; he’s a future Hall of Famer, but he hasn’t yet made a conference finals in part because he just can’t stay healthy and so I think he’s under pressure from the standpoint of, ‘Oh boy, I think injury luck is on my side this year. If it isn’t, I’m the guy who’s going to get blamed.’”

No star is under more pressure this year than Joel Embiid.

Full episode with @GrantLiffmann 👇 https://t.co/jWNtxm6Yje

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) October 20, 2026

The center has been limited by injuries his entire career. Despite being drafted in 2014, he did not make his debut until the 2016-17 season, with injuries sidelining him from two full campaigns. He has only played in 96 regular-season games since the 2023-24 season.

With his injury history and 41-year-old James entering his record 24th season, availability could become an issue for the 76ers. Although James has remained remarkably durable over his career, recent seasons have raised questions about how much he can play.

James missed the season opener for the first time in his career last season and also missed additional games while dealing with sciatica. He played 60 games for the Lakers in 2025-26, averaging a career-low 33.2 minutes per game.

O’Connor also addressed Embiid’s opposition to the idea of sacrifice, saying, “He’s also under pressure from the sacrifice standpoint. You had Philadelphia, you know, talking about sacrifice. LeBron saying he gave a great answer about the need for sacrifice and how these guys can do that. And then Joel Embiid, on the other hand, says, ‘I’m against the concept of sacrificing.’”

He finished with a word of warning for the one-time MVP, saying, “Joel, I got news for you: there needs to be sacrifice for this team to work.”

Embiid refuted the idea of sacrificing after the 76ers’ final preseason game on Friday, saying, “I’m against the concept of sacrificing… I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we’re going to support you. … I don’t think anybody has to take a back seat.”

His comments about sacrifice could be interpreted as a reluctance to ask teammates to limit their individual games. With Embiid, Maxey, Brown and James, Philadelphia now has four players who have each led an NBA team in scoring over a full season.

MORE: 3-Time NBA All-Star Sounds Alarm on Joel Embiid’s Fitness Despite Impressive 76ers Scrimmage

The center led Philadelphia to the second round of the playoffs for the sixth time last season. But the 76ers’ season ended there once again, as they were swept by the New York Knicks.

With such big names on the team now, head coach Nick Nurse will have his hands full as he tries to find a balance between individual strengths and the team’s needs.

The 76ers will get a chance to make an early statement in their regular-season opener against the reigning champs, the Knicks.