The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a very disappointing season. They finished with a record of 24-58 and ended their seven-year playoff streak. There is plenty of fault to go around for the failures last year. However, injuries are the most to blame.
Joel Embiid, Paul George, Jared McCain, and Tyrese Maxey all played less than 55 games. In fact, Maxey’s 52 games played are the most out of those four. Because of his health, Maxey was forced to take on a bigger role for the team. It was not easy for him, but there were plenty of lessons to be learned.
Tyrese Maxey Reflects on Last Season
GettyTyrese Maxey was forced into a larger role last year.
Maxey is just 24 years old, but he feels like a veteran. The 2020 first-round pick is entering his sixth season in the NBA. Last year, he averaged a career-high 26.3 points and 1.8 steals per game. Maxey also averaged 6.1 assists per game.
The injuries to the team forced Maxey to become the go-to playmaker, and that came with struggles. He had a career-low field goal percentage (43.7%), while his three-point percentage (33.7%) also took a dip. He did not have Embiid or George to play off of, and that came with some learning curves.
“It was a big lesson for me. I had to find ways to manipulate a defense,” Maxey said, per Tony Jones of The Athletic (subscription required).
Even though the team finished in the bottom tier of the NBA, Maxey was able to take some positives from his experience.
“I think it was good for me having the ball in my hands and helping me see the film and the breakdown of the games. I am going to have the ball in my hands. I have to know when it’s time to create for myself, and when it’s time to create for others,” He said, per Jones.
That experience gained as a leader and No. 1 playmaker is going to transfer into the new season.
Maxey Is Taking On a Larger Role This Year
GettyTyrese Maxey will take on a bigger leadership role this season.
Heading into the new year, Maxey will have to be even more of a leader. McCain underwent UCL surgery on his thumb, so he will miss the start of the season. George remains sidelined for opening night after not playing in the preseason, as well. These two being out already forces Maxey to continue to be the leader of the offense.
The good news is Embiid is active for the game, which will provide some offensive relief for Maxey and the 76ers. But with his injury history, it is tough to say how much he will actually play. Maxey’s health is a big reason for his increased leadership role.
Mentoring the younger players on the team is one of the larger responsibilities he has to take on. Philadelphia drafted VJ Edgecombe with the third pick in this year’s draft. Edgecombe will be a starter from day one and will need to play up to his potential if the 76ers are going to be better than last year. Maxey has taken it upon himself to be someone he can look up to.
“Maxey has also made it a priority to mentor the younger players on the roster. When he looks at Edgecombe and McCain, he sees himself when he first got to the Sixers. And it’s a basketball innocence that Maxey wants them to have for as long as possible,” Jones wrote.
The 76ers open their season at the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Maxey’s elevated role on the team is something to watch for.
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