MILWAUKEE — The 2023-24 season has been a resounding success for Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. The 23-year-old has made huge strides in his first season under the guidance of coach Nick Nurse.
He is averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. Those numbers allowed him to make his first All-Star team and he has improved on both ends of the floor. Maxey has taken steps forward both as a scorer and a playmaker and he has even improved greatly on the defensive end.
Now in his fourth season, Maxey reflected on where he has made the most growth in the league.
“Defensively, I just became more aggressive on the ball, off the ball, and I feel like being your four now I know guys’ tendencies,” Maxey stated. “I know what the coaching staff wants from me. I know what coach Nick Nurse and everybody here wants from me. So that makes it a lot easier for me then offensively, just reading the game.”
Maxey has seen so many different defensive schemes since Joel Embiid went out. Teams have blitzed him at halfcourt. They have singled him out on the scouting report, and the young star hasn’t blinked. He had 30 points in Thursday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and that’s with the Bucks throwing the kitchen sink at him.
“Like you said, I’ve seen so many different schemes,” Maxey added. “Especially, with the big fella out. Every single day is a challenge and I’m trying to get better at it every day every. Game by game and just keep getting better. Keep getting better and when he gets back, I think it’d be a little bit easier for me. Just a little bit, though.”
Maxey and the Sixers take on the Charlotte Hornets at home on Saturday.
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