Tyrese Maxey has established himself as one of the NBA's hottest properties this season with a string of scintillating performances. During his time in the league so far, Maxey has showcased his scoring talents on countless occasions, but one attribute that has consistently come under scrutiny is his ability to be the Philadelphia 76ers' primary playmaking option. This criticism should now be consigned to the past after his latest performance against the Celtics.
The electric guard has become the 76ers' offensive talisman as star player Joel Embiid continues the gruelling journey back to his devastating best. His three-level scoring has developed at an absurd rate, and now, combined with an elite level of playmaking, Maxey is exhibiting all the traits of the face of a franchise.
Maxey's playmaking leap showcased against Celtics
Much of the discussion heading into the new campaign was that Philadelphia had one of the deepest backcourts in the entire NBA; however, it lacked an on-ball creator who could work in tandem with Maxey and allow him to flourish as a scorer.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old has seemingly taken that assessment as a personal attack on his basketballing ability. Throughout the Sixers' first five regular-season fixtures, he has consistently shown his superior vision and basketball IQ.
Maxey's scoring is at an all-time high as he is putting up 34.2 points per game, which would suggest that creating for his teammates lies at the depths of his offensive priorities. This has not proven to be the case, as he has averaged 9.4 assists each fixture -- while recording a career-high 14 assists during the 108-109 defeat to the Boston Celtics.
Statistics should be the start of any conversation, but never the end of it. This was not a game in which Maxey was constantly throwing the ball in Embiid's direction and hoping that the 2023 Most Valuable Player would sink the majority of the shots he put up; the Kentucky graduate displayed a larger range of invention.
In transition, Maxey was unstoppable in both scoring and playmaking against Boston. With around seven minutes left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia's newest star snatched a rebound and, within a split second, he transformed into an elite quarterback, laying on a penetrating pass for Quentin Grimes to finish with a simple layup.
Maxey's explosive movements have allowed him to leave defenders in his wake and aggressively drive towards the basket. Due to his phenomenal scoring tear of late, the opposition would throw bodies towards him in the paint in a panicked frenzy, leaving his teammates open on the perimeter or able to cut to the basket for an easy two points. His newly found composure on the interior is now allowing him to notice these incisive passes and has created a new dimension in the 76ers' offense.
Any accusation that Tyrese Maxey cannot be the primary playmaking option for the Philadelphia 76ers is rapidly being refuted with a set of displays that showcase his ability to create chances both off and on the ball. With some defensive reinforcements, the 76ers will be hoping that this roster can be guided to the higher echelons of the Eastern Conference by their budding superstar.