The Philadelphia 76ers have had two All-Stars on the roster for the past several seasons with Joel Embiid being the mainstay. At first, Ben Simmons was Embiid’s co-star, but he’s been replaced with James Harden this season. Overall it’s a pretty good thing if a team has two All-Stars on their roster.
The last time the Sixers had three All-Stars was in the 1986-87 season with Charles Barkley, Julius Erving, and Maurice Cheeks. It’s clear Embiid and Harden are set to make several more All-Star apparences together. There’s a chance that the Sixers could send a third player with the duo based on if they have one of the best records in a future season or two.
If that does occur, the question becomes who’s more likely to get that third spot, Tobias Harris or Tyrese Maxey?
Maxey or Harris, who can become the Sixers third All-Star?
Last season, the easy answer would have been Harris. He was playing near an All-Star level with his efficency scoring and his overall numbers. However, this year has raised the debate between the 76ers’ guard and power forward.
When given the reigns to be the primary option on offense, Maxey has looked like an All-Star this season. What’s even crazier to consider is that the second year point guard has made major strides with his shooting, playmaking, and defense while still having room to grow.
Maxey has a lot of potential and can learn from a MVP like Harden, it puts him im a prime spot to make the jump to an All-Star level. Harris on the other hand has struggled for most of the season and last year appears to be the peak of which he can play.
Harris is great at getting his points within the floor of the offense when playing next to a dynamic playmaker. Fans saw it last year with Simmons and there’s a good chance that version of Harris returns now that Harden is in the mix.
The difference betwen Harris and Maxey is pretty easy to break down when it comes to them as potential All-Star. Harris is a third scoring option on a team and has shown his peak play is at a borderline All-Star level. Maxey has so much room to grow and has shown flashes to play at an All-Star level by being able to create his own offense.
The question is with Maxey is can he play at that level alongside Harden? Only time with tell but the Sixers are in good shape with Maxey and Harris being third and fourth options respectively on offense moving forward.