PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are in a pretty good position as the 2023-24 season rolls on. They have the current MVP winner, Joel Embiid, who makes everything go, and they also have rising star Tyrese Maxey.
When the Sixers traded James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers, there was a school of thought Philadelphia might struggle considering Harden led the league in assists in the 2022-23 season. However, Philadelphia hasn’t skipped a beat. Maxey has stepped in and been terrific, averaging 26.6 points, 6.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds.
Before Maxey dropped 31 with eight assists in a 44-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers, he received high praise from Lakers coach Darvin Ham.
“He’s just sort of exploded onto the scene, man, and just I love just watching him play,” Ham said before the game. “You can see the joy and the spirit that he plays with. That kid is phenomenal and every time I’ve seen them here and there in LA and when we cross paths during the season, he’s full energy man. Just a beaming light.”
The Sixers have taken big steps with Maxey leading the way. He has found the balance of being able to score when he has to and being able to set up Embiid, Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton and the rest of his teammates for open looks.
Mastering that balance doesn’t just happen overnight. But with Maxey’s work ethic and the joy he has in playing the game, the Sixers are in pretty good shape.
“This city is fortunate,” Ham continued about Maxey. “This franchise is extremely fortunate to have him to go along with Joel and Tobias. I think they fit really, really well together and they’re a handful and they’re gonna be a handful and he’s right at the top of that list in terms of what you have to deal with.”
There is no way of stopping Maxey at this point. The Lakers found that out the hard way on Monday.
“Not just initially, but throughout the course of the game and he’s relentless,” Ham finished. “His attack continues. It’s persistent and consistent.”
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