Paul George likens Tyrese Maxey to modern-day Allen Iverson

While donning the Philadelphia Sixers Nike Hardwood Classic Edition uniforms, Tyrese Maxey erupted for a career-high 54 points in Thursday night’s overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. His 54-point outburst lifted Maxey’s season average to 33.4 points per game, the second-highest mark in the NBA behind only Luka Dončić (34.6). 

Maxey is now the fastest point guard to reach 500+ points and 100+ assists in a season. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has more 50-point games than Maxey’s four over the last three seasons. 

Perhaps it was the vintage black Sixers threads, or maybe it was Maxey’s lightning-quick first step and savvy skillset, but Paul George saw flashes of Sixers icon Allen Iverson from the Eastern Conference scoring leader in Thursday’s overtime thriller. 

During a postgame conversation with The Athletic insider Tony Jones, George praised Maxey while defining his importance to the team.

“He’s special,” George told Jones of The Athletic. “I thought he had a phenomenal year last year, but it got lost in the season that we had as a team. Because of that, people didn’t really talk about him heading into this season. But, when you watch him just take over games and get us timely buckets, it’s special to see. We’re asking him to do so much. We’re asking him to play a ton of minutes and he’s delivering.

“He’s the heart and soul of this team. This is similar to what Allen Iverson once did for the city. He’s our battery, and we’re witnessing one of them ones.”

Tyrese Maxey is Off to a Historic Start

GettyTyrese Maxey becomes fastest player to reach 500+ points and 100+ assists in a season

Anytime you draw comparisons to Iverson, you are doing something right. And, although George’s praise is certainly lofty, it is not without merit. 

Maxey has been on an absolute tear since the dawn of the season. Only MVP winners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo have more 30-point games, and Maxey is top five in total points, assists and threes this season. 

The former Kentucky standout is the first player in NBA history to record 54 points, five rebounds, nine assists, three steals, three blocks and six three-pointers in a single game, according to StatMuse. 

Maxey now joins Michael Jordan, James Harden and Luka Dončić as the only guards to average 33+ PPG on 60% TS through the first 15 games of a season. 

https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1991883552083079173?s=20

As his teammate George said, Maxey was stellar last season, but the Sixers guard has seemingly taken the leap to superstardom in his sixth NBA season.

Tyrese Maxey’s Evolution to Modern-Day Allen Iverson Comes at  Perfect Time for Sixers

GettyTyrese Maxey is evolving into the face of the Sixers franchise

Joel Embiid, the 2022-23 NBA MVP, has been the face of the Sixers for the better part of the last decade. Unfortunately, injuries have frequently sidelined the talented big man, leaving the Sixers without their star power for extended periods. 

Now, with Maxey entering his prime and evolving into an All-NBA-caliber talent, Embiid and the Sixers now have an ideal candidate to bestow the keys to the franchise. 

Maxey, the 2023 Most Improved Player Award winner, has increased his scoring output every year of his career and appears ready to be the primary engine of the offense. Should his torrid pace continue, Maxey could follow in the footsteps of Embiid and secure an MVP award of his own. 

The league leader in minutes played and field goal attempts, there is perhaps nobody more valuable to their respective teams than Maxey, who seems like a lock for his second All-Star selection this season.

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