The Philadelphia 76ers held their 2022 Media Day on Monday, September 26.
The team's President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, and Head Coach Doc Rivers took the podium first, and veterans Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, and others all met with the media.
Watch a repeat of the full stream:
Here are a few highlights from Media Day 2022:
DOC RIVERS
On the team's offseason additions:
“PJ [Tucker]’s leadership and toughness. De’Anthony Melton can play dual positions, great defensive player… toughness.”
On the team's effort in the offseason:
“The entire team spent time together, playing in the middle of the summer in LA on their own... James put in a ton of work. We’re very happy where everybody is right now.”
DARYL MOREY
On toughness:
“[It was a] big part of the decision making. We wanted to get two-way players, but toughness comes into that. Being able to fight and get a key rebound. When things are down, having that mental fortitude to pull everyone together.”
JOEL EMBIID
On the team's goals for the 2022-23 season:
“We know what works. Obviously our pick and roll was almost unstoppable, probably unstoppable… But I’d say our focus is on defense. We aim to be the best defensive team in the league.“
JAMES HARDEN
On entering his first full season with the 76ers organization:
“This summer, just having conversations with Jo and Doc and making sure we’re all on the same page. Working out with Tyrese, getting more comfortable. I think me learning them, and vice versa. This summer was really good for that.”
On the team's offseason additions:
"With the additions of Tucker, Melton, House, and Harrell, I feel like we got the right pieces we need at both ends of the floor to make us a great team and the last one standing.”
DE'ANTHONY MELTON
GEORGES NIANG & SHAKE MILTON
On having spent time with James Harden over the offseason:
Niang: “Having a full training camp is going to be even better. Compounding days of practice to learn each other’s tendencies, where he wants us to be. And then to have four preseason games is going to be huge as well.”
Milton: “Having a guy like James, I feel like everything comes a little bit easier. You can see that now whenever we’re playing open run and pickup. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s able to put so much pressure on the defense.”
TOBIAS HARRIS
MATISSE THYBULLE
On the offseason addition of De'Anthony Melton:
“You know what’s funny? If you ask him, he would tell you that I stole the Defensive Player of the Year award from him in college. But I stand by the fact that I deserved it... He’s been doing this for a long time.”
MONTREZL HARRELL
TYRESE MAXEY
On the city of Philadelphia:
"The city of Philadelphia is such a blue-collar city. It's like everybody here that goes to games or that I see around town, they work extremely hard for what they have. When you work hard for what you have, you really cherish it. I feel like I really believe that, because I've worked extremely hard to get to where I am today. Nothing was given to them; nothing was given to me."
P.J. TUCKER
On Joel Embiid...
“To see him grow over the years to become one of the best players overall in the league… I’m just happy now that I don’t have to go against him anymore. I’m excited. He’s such a good player. He makes everybody else around him great.”
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Media Day 2022
1 / 9Tobias Harris #12, Tyrese Maxey #0, James Harden #1, and Joel Embiid #21.
Team play-by-play announcers Kate Scott of NBC Sports Philadelphia and Tom McGinnis from 97.5 The Fanatic previewed the day with Matt Murphy.
Only 22 days until tip.