CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers are in the midst of a spate of injuries at the moment. The Sixers are down both James Harden and Tyrese Maxey and must rely on others.
Shake Milton is taking on much more responsibility as is De’Anthony Melton. Though sitting out, Maxey is still involved with the day-to-day activities of the team. He is giving Milton and others any advice he can think of to help them succeed.
“I’m still basically the youngest guy on the team, so it’s like when I say stuff, I’ll be like ‘I don’t know if I should say something because I don’t know if they’re gonna listen to me’,” Maxey said at practice on Monday. “I try to tell him what I see, and he’s been great so far. I think he played really well in the last game. I think he’ll play even better tomorrow (Tuesday). His confidence is high and we need it to be high right now.”
The biggest message the Sixers have been preaching throughout the season has been playing together. They have been focused on a “we season, not a me season” so this time is challenging that motto.
“This is our family,” Maxey added. “Ever since Charleston. Ever since the first day of training camp, we’ve kind of established that, and everybody really likes each other here. Everybody wants to see somebody succeed and PJ (Tucker) had a statement when we brought it in about this is an opportunity and we want to see everybody shine in an opportunity.”
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It would help the Sixers immensely if they could at least get Furkan Korkmaz back on the floor. Philadelphia could use another ball-handler, and Maxey continues to express his belief in them.
“I think Shake and Melt and even Furk if he comes back and is healthy to play will flourish in this opportunity,” he continued. “I just can’t wait and I do whatever I can to help.”
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