Sixers lessons learned: It’s Maxey time
Tyrese Maxey’s single-season trajectory is remarkable and speaks to his work ethic. The Sixers’ rookie has gone from borderline unplayable to a postseason-caliber player in a few months’ time. He clearly studies film, which has led to marked improvement on defense. He also listens to advice, which has led to a higher 3-point volume and more determined drives to the cup.
On the whole, Maxey is a very strong young player who deserves playing time — right freakin’ now. The Sixers’ second unit put Washington to bed in the fourth quarter because Maxey was on the floor. Rivers has not yet inserted Maxey into the proper 10-man rotation, but he played the second half over Furkan Korkmaz in Game 1, then supplanted Shake Milton in Game 2. A trend is developing.
At some point, if Maxey continues to produce — 10 points, three blocks in 13 minutes of action in Game 2 — he will have to get real, meaningful minutes. Rivers continues to express confidence in the rookie and Shake Milton can only kill so many possessions. Maxey’s speed and dribble penetration are a weapon no one else on the roster can replicate. The Wizards, who are notoriously fast, cannot stay in front of him. No defense has been able to consistently keep him out of the paint this season.
Maxey provides more upside and, at this point, probably a higher floor than Shake Milton. While Milton started last postseason and dropped 39 points on Doc’s own Clippers last regular season, it is clear the third-year guard is not the same player. We can speculate on the reasons why another time, but for now, Maxey’s light continues to shine brighter.
It’s time for Doc to make a change — to shake up the rotation and maxeymize the second unit. Yes, yes, I know, great puns.