NEW YORK–Philadelphia 76ers rising star Tyrese Maxey is one of the top young players in the league. In his fourth season in the NBA, Maxey has taken big steps forward averaging 26.3 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds while also shooting 40.7% from deep.
If there is one area where Maxey could improve upon in the 2023-24 season, it is the slow starts he has gotten off to in games. In the first quarter of games, Maxey is averaging just 3.0 points and shooting 22.7% from deep.
In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a huge deal as long as he is producing in big moments and the Sixers are winning games. That’s all that matters to coach Nick Nurse.
“I don’t mind either way,” said Nurse on Nov. 19 after a win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I think he’s still, again, trying to feel out exactly–is he trying to get Joel (Embiid) going? Is he trying to get Tobias (Harris) going to start the second and fourth? Playing that kind of role and I’m not sure yet to be honest with you. I think you got to take kind of what’s there.”
Nurse is correct in this case. Maxey still has to understand the balance of setting up Embiid, Harris, De’Anthony Melton, and others while also looking for his own shot. That doesn’t happen overnight.
Also, as mentioned, as long as the Sixers are winning and Maxey is still producing over the course of a 48-minute game, then the slow starts can be accepted.
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