The Philadelphia 76ers are aiming higher this season, and without a doubt, Tyrese Maxey will be a key part of whatever the team wants to accomplish. You could say that, all things considered, he’s the best player on the team right now. And it’s true that their opponents have treated him as such so far.
Last season Maxey actually had a bad year. While his counting stats were still eye-popping, with 26.3 points and six assists per outing, his efficiency took a hit. He converted just 43.7 percent of his field goal attempts, by far the worst mark of his career, while also draining just 33.7 percent of his three-point attempts, his second-worst mark ever.
But beyond the raw numbers, his overall play wasn’t as inspiring from an optical standpoint as fans would have liked. Fresh off an All-Star year that also saw him win the Most Improved Player award, he took a big step back last season, even confusing fans at times with his wild decision-making, especially when times were tough.
The 76ers may be looking at a different level of play than Tyrese Maxey this season
Of course, he took the brunt of both Joel Embiid and Paul George missing so much time that the defense became more comfortable doubling him. But that said, he seems to be operating from a different mindset this season, and that will only age well for the 76ers.
The team has only played a few games so far, so you can’t say that any recurring themes exist yet. Still, people noticed it right away that Maxey looks more poised and confident, having fully embraced his role as the side’s No. 1 in their first two matches, both of which ended in thrilling victories.
Even when (or if) Joel Embiid starts to deviate from his current minutes restriction, the 76ers have every reason to continue installing Maxey as the nominal alpha. Because of the way the roster is constructed, a guard-heavy offense will only make them as a whole more dynamic and less predictable on offense.
Obviously, Maxey will be the perfect player to get them into that mode. He is one of the best three-level scorers in the league, and his ability to get downhill quickly reflects the team’s desired playing style.
Hopefully, Tyrese Maxey can continue building good habits, not only as a co-star, but also as a leader. The 76ers need him to return to his All-Star form this season, and without him getting there, the chances of them contending are close to zero.
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