With Ben Simmons’ status with the Philadelphia 76ers still up in the air, Tyrese Maxey has a huge role to fill as the Sixers’ primary ball-handler and playmaker. The now second-year guard provided a very solid role off the bench last season as a rookie, averaging eight points and two assists in 15.3 minutes per game.
While these numbers are solid, Maxey is being asked to step up his role tremendously this season, and he has shown flashes of being able to fill the big shoes the 76ers are asking him to. So far through the season in 31.6 minutes per game, he’s averaging 14 points along with four assists as well. These numbers are above average for a second-year player, especially when that player is being asked to take the reins of a team with such high expectations.
Tyrese Maxey has stepped into a bigger role this season, but is he the Sixers’ long-term answer at point guard?
Maxey is a terrific guard, and has definitely earned his starting spot with his play thus far this season. He’s got an incredible basketball IQ, and has great size for a combo guard. He can run the pick-and-roll offense, and is a great playmaker. He is a great athlete, he can play above average defense, and is also a decent rebounder for his size.
Now, with the pros out of the way, let’s talk about Maxey’s cons as well. His 3-point shot could definitely use some work. He is currently shooting 31.4 percent from outside the arc which is below the 34.2 percent league average. He also plays timid at times offensively, giving the ball up when he should drive to the basket and sometimes making an extra pass that just doesn’t need to be made. He can be careless at times with the ball as well.
These things are something that Maxey can easily work on, and he has shown that he is willing to work on his game.
The thing that most 76ers fans can agree about Maxey is he plays with heart, which is something a lot of Philly fans love to see in young players. He hustles for loose balls, gets back on defense, and he is just always looking to put in that extra effort on, and off the court. His defense, along with his playmaking ability on offense, are two key factors for the 76ers’ success this season.
Tyrese Maxey’s role could be the determining factor for the 76ers playoff run this year. If Maxey is able to run the offense well, which he has proven he can at times, the 76ers will finally make that deep playoff push they have been trying to for years now.