Tyrese Maxey wants to change the entire narrative surrounding the 76ers

Tyrese Maxey is done with surprises. The Philadelphia 76ers point guard made it clear at team media day on Friday that, for the Sixers to reach the level they want to reach, there has to be some continuity.

"I think the biggest thing that I'm trying to accomplish is like... We need a standard. Like, this is who we are every single day no matter who plays no matter who doesn't play. When you see 'Philadelphia 76ers,' this is what you see. You're going to see that team every single night... Every single time you turn the TV on, every single time you step foot in... Whatever arena that we're playing in, this is the team that you're gonna get, and this is the type of culture you're gonna get... I think that's the biggest thing..."

Any sort of consistency from this team is what fans have been asking for all along. Maxey, granted, has been the most consistent star presence on this team for the past three years. So he's closer than anyone to living up to the "standard" he's attempting to set for the Sixers at large. And, of course, injuries can never be accounted for. One of the biggest narratives (and, unfortunately, a fair one) surrounding the 76ers is that they can't stay healthy when it counts.

But he clearly understands that a standard must be team-wide — organization-wide, really — for it to make any real difference. And I don't know whether one player can be the catalyst for imparting that standard, but I like seeing Maxey try nonetheless. It's become increasingly clear in the past few years that Maxey cares about making this thing work in Philly. And if it ever does work — really work — he will deserve a massive cut of the praise.

Tyrese Maxey is trying to win the trust of Sixers fans

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Philadelphia 76ers might have the biggest disparity between roster talent and fan enthusiasm I have ever seen. The team's ceiling is the NBA Finals — and fans are completely checked out, an entire month before the regular season starts.

And if you've followed the Philadelphia 76ers even semi-closely the past decade, you'll empathize with that alienation. Things happen to this franchise that 29 other NBA teams could never conceive of.

Thus, it's heartening to hear Maxey talk about the importance of setting a standard and knowing what to expect from a franchise that has been rife with uncertainty during his entire tenure with the team. I'm just not sure players on the team have any control over that. The curse that was placed on the Philadelphia 76ers by a deity incomprehensible to the human brain will take a tremendous effort to reverse.

Anyone ready to push the boulder up the hill again? I really think we can get it this time.