One of the questions at the start of the season in Philly, it was obviously the management of the post of leader in the absence of Ben Simmons. Back in the squad, the Australian finally put so little goodwill into training that Doc Rivers put him in the closet. So it’s time for the premiere of Tyrese Maxey, more rear than leader by profile, but chosen by his coach to occupy the backcourt with Seth Curry.
The opponent, the Pelicans, was weakened because deprived of Zion Williamson, but we must not diminish the quality of Tyrese Maxey’s performance in this part. The former Kentucky player may not be identified as a “pass first point guard” as can be Ben Simmons, his performance against New Orleans was very convincing.
With 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, a single loss of the ball and the biggest +/- differential of the game (+23), Maxey made forget the space of a game that the Sixers were very, very light on the position of leader at the start of the season. Shake Milton, who has often brought good things last season, is not yet on his feet and it is not yet certain whether Philadelphia will manage to recover a point guard in a trade around Simmons.
Tyrese Maxey is that boul. pic.twitter.com/PfimluzSDx
— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) October 21, 2021
sophomore szn is underway ???? @TyreseMaxey pic.twitter.com/0JcfVI2zuH
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 21, 2021
“He was great. Early in the game, he made a few mistakes, but he’s going to learn from that,” said Doc Rivers.
Failing to be an elite playmaker and defender, Tyrese Maxey has an impressive activity and a beautiful maturity for a player of 20 years. As he explained after the game, his stats don’t interest him at all and he only wants the Sixers to win. Having a youngster like him in the five or the rotation is a very good thing for the Sixers anyway.
The summer has clearly been studious for Maxey, who seems more confident with his outdoor shoot and absolutely not bothered by the sudden exposure offered to him. In two days, he will have to display the same erenity against an opponent of a completely different caliber: the Brooklyn Nets.
I already know I’m going to see 18 renditions of “Tyrese Maxey has added more to his game in one summer than Ben Simmons has in 5 years,” but that won’t stop me from retweeting every single one
— Matt ⚔️ (@Sixers_Matt) October 20, 2021
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