Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey could be special

The Philadelphia 76ers got themselves a steal in Tyrese Maxey.

Let me be the first one to say that I haven’t seen this in a long time as a Philadelphia 76ers fan. A player who throws caution to the wind, body slams fear, and goes out on the floor to ball out.

As a rookie.

Usually, there is an acclimation period in which some guys have to navigate their way through the season. Then the rookie wall hits, where the games and intensity start to add up to games where we can see the fatigue in the young players. We’re still only a month into the season so time will tell. But from the sample size that is seen, one thing is certainty clear:

Tyrese Maxey is good.

Really good.

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How he did not get snatched up within the first twenty picks of the draft is still a mystery. But I am glad that he fell to the Sixers. This is a player whose style of play is needed in the city of Brotherly Love.

Fearless. Not afraid to put his head down and get to the basket. Takes his opportunities when he sees them and wastes no time doing so. His 39-point performance in the Sixers loss to Denver a few days ago reminded me of the times when another young guy was lighting up opposing teams during his rookie year. I think he’s a Hall of Famer now.

Maybe its taboo to compare him to Allen Iverson. Two different eras. Two different players. But the mentality is very similar: Score. And score in bunches. Maxey fills a need that I’ve personally have been clamoring for. The Sixers needed shot creators. Someone who can get their own offense going and doesn’t need half court sets to open things up for them. Tyrese Maxey excelled in that area during his lone season at Kentucky. Early in this season, he is showing that strength as a creator whenever he steps on the court.

Maxey also has shown a great burst to get by defenders when driving to the rim. Another aspect that Philadelphia needed. The last few years, this team had virtually no one that could collapse a defense, a threat to score, and create open shots. He will improve throughout this season, and even more as his career progresses.

His confidence is what impresses the most. Maxey isn’t a rookie out there trying to figure it out, though he is, technically, figuring it out. He is playing like he belongs here. That is a promising bit of information for Sixers fans. The NBA lights aren’t too big for him at all. Agent Zero 2.0 is putting the NBA world on notice that his time is now.

Doc Rivers has raved about Tyrese and his ability to learn quickly, calling him a special player. I agree wholeheartedly . This kid has it. With Rivers at the helm, Maxey  should develop into a known name around the NBA. I am looking forward to watching his ascension in a Sixers uniform. Look out Sixers fans. The piece to the championship puzzle may have been found after all.