Joel Embiid may be entering the 2026-27 season in dramatically different physical condition, and Ramona Shelburne believes LeBron James’ arrival in Philadelphia is helping set the tone.
Speaking about the atmosphere around the 76ers, Shelburne said she has heard that Embiid has been arriving at the gym early and has trimmed down to approximately the weight he carried as a rookie.
“I’ve been hearing Embiid’s getting to the gym early and he’s down to his rookie weight,” Shelburne said. “This is a new Joel.”
The report adds to the encouraging early signs surrounding Embiid’s health and conditioning. LeBron recently said that Embiid looks significantly healthier than he did when the two played together for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, noting that the center has been able to participate throughout Philadelphia’s training camp and has sometimes wanted to continue working even when the team has tried to limit him.
For Shelburne, however, Embiid’s renewed approach may also reflect something larger happening inside the Sixers’ locker room.
“Everybody’s trying to earn LeBron’s approval and respect,” she said.
Shelburne compared the dynamic to what she witnessed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, when Anthony Davis was playing alongside James and, in her view, was particularly motivated to establish himself in the eyes of his superstar teammate.
“I saw this in LA in 2020 when AD was trying to impress him and played every game,” Shelburne said. “Everybody wants the approval of the GOAT.”
For Philadelphia, an engaged and physically improved Embiid would matter far more than any training-camp narrative.
His talent has never been the central question. Availability, conditioning and the ability to maintain his body through a long season have repeatedly shaped how far the Sixers can go.
