Written by: Jonathan Geib
Tyrese Maxey (A-)
Tyrese Maxey has been inspiring for the Philadelphia 76ers so far this season. Maxey started the season in the starting lineup and has since been moved to the bench, yet he is handling it all very professionally. His mindset is whatever helps the team is best for him and that is not an attitude that you often see in the NBA, especially from a 22-year-old superstar in the making.
Maxey is averaging a career-high 19.9 points per game in addition to 2.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Playing with the second unit has given Maxey the freedom to play his game and have the offense revolve around him instead of Harden or Embiid. Maxey also gets the opportunity to be the primary ball handler off the bench where we can see him play in his more natural role.
The offensive end is where Maxey is known to shine and he can go off at any given moment, but his defense has been praised recently by his teammates. He has made gains on defense and is becoming that all-around star that will thrive in this league for years to come. JJ Redick even pointed out on a recent broadcast that even though De’Anthony Melton was put into the starting lineup to bolster the defense, the Sixers let up fewer points per 100 possessions when Maxey is in that starting lineup compared to Melton.
Getting back to Maxey’s offense though, he is shooting well this year. His shooting percentages are 45.4% from the field and 39.2% from the three-point range. He is becoming very good to great at all aspects of the game and this year might just be his breakout year. Maxey is one of the best players on this Sixers roster and is making it known.