The Philadelphia 76ers have been a talented team in recent seasons. They have two of the brightest stars in the game, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, who bring unique skills to the floor.

However, there have always been questions whether they can win together. One school of thought holds they cant play together and the chemistry is always off.

To begin the 2020-21 season, there seems more synergy between them. They are talking much more and they are morphing into becoming real leaders for their team.

Not that the previous year we havent been on the court very close, but this year has just been different, beamed Embiid. I cant even explain it. Hes just been different. I love playing with him, and Im sure he loves playing with me too. I dont know how to explain it. Its just been fun having someone like that.

The Sixers offense has been running through Embiid to begin the season, and for good reason, but he also understands that he does not have to do that for this team. He does not have to be the playmaker or anything like that. Thats what he has Simmons for.

I can be a playmaker, but I dont need to be a playmaker because I got it, the big fella said with a smile. My job is to play defense and score the ball, and make plays when they double- and triple-team me. His job is to be huge on defense and also make plays offensively for our guys. Hes been amazing this year.

There is also more talking off the floor which translates to more success on the court. Both see the game from a different viewpoint and they are talking with each other more off the floor than they did in the past.

The other day, he texted me and said Im missing you so many times on your duck-ins, said Simmons. Little things like that, it continues to help the team chemistry grow and guys are willing to make plays even if guys dont make the right pass or miss something, guys want to make the right plays and things like that so our relationship is continuing to grow.

For Philadelphia to grow into the title contender it believes it can be, the Sixers will need Embiid and Simmons to lead the way. It will not matter what the other guys on the floor do if the stars are not playing at their best.

We both see different things so now for me and Jo, I think the relationship continues to grow, added Simmons. We talk a lot more now in terms of being on the floor and certain things we say. Knowing where he wants the ball, all the sets, and just flying, getting into the flow of the game, and just trying to read it the right way.

The Sixers will look to continue to grow on Saturday when they hit the road to face the Detroit Pistons.

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Sixers stars Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid explain their newfound chemistry - Sixers Wire