Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas suggests a change of scenery for Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid . The Sixers star hasn’t had the best 2024–25 NBA season because of his injuries and his remarks about playing back-to-back games, which have drawn criticism. Arenas cited the Miami Heat as a potential destination for Embiid and named a specific reason why it would help his career moving forward.
Philly has played 13 games this season, and Embiid has only appeared in three contests. He was sidelined for the first six games while the organization dealt with his knee ailment. The All-Star missed three more games after that as he was suspended for his altercation with a media member.
In a clip from Arenas’ show “Gil’s Arena” posted on X (formerly Twitter), the former Washington Wizards standout addressed Embiid’s situation with the Sixers . He said that the 2023 MVP’s habit needs to be broken, and Pat Riley is one guy who could help.
“It’s the habit,” Arenas said. “If he really wants to be who he say he wants to be, he needs to be somewhere that’s gonna force him that. It needs to be a place where they don’t give a f**k about your name, it means nothing to them.”
“At this point, you can only go to Pat Riley to restart who you’re gonna be. Go there for 2-3 years, then you can leave. But you need to see what it’s like, to your stats don’t matter. How hard Jimmy Butler goes, none of that s**t matters to Pat Riley. He don’t give a f**k about none of that.”
Riley has coached and managed some of the league’s best stars including Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. The Heat’s president is well known for enforcing his rules on his players. His most well-known rule concerns the percentage of body fat of his players.
One of his former players, Antoine Walker, revealed that Riley fined players for failing to follow his body fat percentage rules.
“One thing about Pat is that he was very professional, and the fines were laid out. I think at that time it was $2000 if you don’t make body fat. So ain’t no argument, ain’t no embarrassing you. It’s just, $2000 gon be out your cheque,” Walker said.
Joel Embiid’s teammate wants accountability from him
ESPN’s Shams Charania said on Tuesday that Joel Embiid’s tardiness this season was “challenged” by All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey in a team meeting. Lou Williams clarified, though, that Maxey did not challenge Embiid. Instead, he wants the center to take responsibility.
“It wasn’t as much of Tyrese Maxey challenging Joel Embiid as it’s been stated. It was a conversation about accountability. By all accounts, those guys are doing just fine,” Williams said.
According to the former NBA player, Maxey and Embiid were in a good mood after the team meeting.
