PHILADELPHIA — Young Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey is on the way up. In his fourth season in the NBA, Maxey is averaging a robust 28.6 points, 7.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 50.5% from the floor and 43.1% from deep.
Those numbers are likely not sustainable over a 82-game season, but Maxey has proven doubters wrong before. This is nothing new to him.
There were doubts whether he could actually shoot at the NBA level after he shot just 29.2% from deep in his one collegiate season at Kentucky. Instead, he has become one of the most prolific shooters in the league.
There were doubts whether he could run a team and be a playmaker in the absence of James Harden. Instead, he’s averaging 7.2 assists against just 1.1 turnovers per game.
“I appreciate them,” Maxey said of the people who have doubted him. “I appreciate it. I mean, I think I was always a decent shooter in high school and stuff. I missed some shots at UK. Cal’s (John Calipari) gonna call me about that, but it doesn’t bother me.”
Instead of it bothering him and getting him down, Maxey has used it as motivation. The young guard has a maniacal work ethic and he uses off days and the summer to constantly add to his game.
The work Maxey has put in has him not only on an All-Star track, but also on an All-NBA track, which is a huge leap for him.
“It doesn’t bother me,” Maxey added. “It helps me though. To have those people doubt me or whatever, it keeps me humble. It keeps me able to go into the gym every single offseason, every single day, and work on my game. Work on my craft and try to be the best possible version of myself.”
Maxey continues to be one of the top players in the game, and he continues to have a bright future. The doubters have something to do with that.
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