Sixers rookie discusses playing next to star big man Joel Embiid

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers will welcome a talented rookie into the fold in the form of No. 22 overall pick Labaron Philon Jr. out of Alabama. The small, but explosive guard will look to work his way into the fold and help the Sixers have success sooner rather than later.

Philon joins a talented group of guards led by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but there is one rather large big man on the roster that needs to be accounted for as well in the form of Joel Embiid.

Yes, Embiid is about to begin a 3-year extension that will pay him $58.1 million in the 2026-27 season. Yes, Embiid played in only 38 games and has not played in 40 in any of the previous three seasons. Yes, Embiid is still dominant on the floor despite the injury setbacks.

Therefore, Philon will have to figure out how to play off the 2023 MVP winner in his first NBA season.

“I mean, just watching a lot of basketball, me growing up, still being able to watch him a little bit in my teen’s age, I would just say he’s a great player,” said Philon of Embiid. “Being able to make the game easy for the others around me, really. That’s the biggest thing for me coming in and transitioning to this level, and, like, I said, he’s a great player. So, just making the game easy for him as much as I can.”

Embiid loves having competitors around him. He wants to make sure everybody is on the same page in terms of chasing a championship and doing everything they possibly can to reach the mountaintop. He has a real competitor in the form of Philon who took big leaps forward from his freshman year to sophomore year as a member of the Crimson Tide. That edge he brings to the floor will help him both with Embiid as well as the city of Philadelphia.

“That competitive juice is everything to me,” Philon added. “Being able to compete, I feel like you have to compete hard to survive in this league. So, just bringing that to the table from day one, I feel like is special. It’s special just for a rookie to be able to compete with the top guys and the top dogs. So, really from day one, being able to work and get on the court.”

As long as Philon keeps that competitive nature and continues to be a solid 3-point shooter, the Sixers are going to be in great shape. Embiid will welcome Philon in and look for him to fill his role as a young player to help Philadelphia get over the hump in the East and dethrone the defending champion New York Knicks.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers rookie discusses playing next to star big man Joel Embiid