11-13. That is how the Philadelphia 76ers have fared this season when Joel Embiid is not playing but Tyrese Maxey is in uniform. Just like in previous years, playing competent basketball without their superstar big man has been a tedious undertaking for this squad, and it seems like not even a career-year from their All-Star guard is enough to change that frustrating status quo.
Time and time again, the 76ers keep proving that Embiid is still their best player. That is most certainly not a knock on Maxey, but their struggles without the former MVP and the latter's inability to consistently lead the team to wins with him operating as the Batman in the equation only brings a divisive argument to the surface –– that he has yet to truly make the superstar leap.
Players who register 28.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.7 assists a night definitely do not come around often, but Maxey's ascent to superstar status is not one conditioned on his raw numbers. It is simply a tad difficult to advertise him as one of the best players in the world when he has yet to show that the 76ers can survive with him as their best player.
Tyrese Maxey has to take another leap for the 76ers
Embiid is not getting any younger, and despite his resurgence instilling an overarched degree of confidence for this bunch, his injury history suggests that it would not be feasible for the 76ers to keep operating in a way where they still live and die with their superstar.
Maxey is talanted enough to do that, but he can still take another leap for this team as their resident main gunner. He needs to do a better job at leveraging the intense attention he warrants from the defense. So far, his playmaking has still been lacking in most occasions, and for someone whose value is at its highest on the scoring end, finding other ways to excel aside from just racking up points will be part and parcel of his growth into a real superstar.
He is more of a leader by example, which is in-theme with the dynamic of this group. But having said that, his numbers will be put to waste if he cannot make the team forget the recurring absences of Embiid. If they want to be in championship conversations, it is a non-negotiable for him to find more ways to be impactful, especially in the little things that can swing games in their favor.