CAMDEN, N.J. — At the end of the 2021-22 season, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was a huge part of what the team did on the offensive end. He was clearly the third-best player on the team behind Joel Embiid and James Harden, and they made sure he was involved.
To begin the 2022-23 season, Maxey took 16 shots on opening night and followed with 13 shots on Thursday. A majority of his points have come in transition considering the speed at which he plays, but the team also wants to make sure he’s involved more in the half-court offense.
“Just keep involving him,” said coach Doc Rivers. “Right now, we’re still trying to get Joel and James more rhythm, but then we’ll just keep adding layers to that and Tyrese will be the next in line.”
It makes sense the Sixers would focus on Embiid and Harden to begin the season. The star duo will carry this team where it wants to go, but Maxey needs attention on the offensive end as well.
“I still think we got to use him more,” Rivers added. “I thought last night (Thursday) we could’ve used Tobias (Harris) more, too. I thought he had a favorable matchup. What I’m trying to teach our guys is just because we’re calling your number doesn’t mean it’s your shot. It means you got an advantage, and if you get help, then you make the right play. That’s what, we as a group, have to get better at.”
The Sixers look to get in the win column when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
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