Sixers 3 goals: Tyrese Maxey should have All-Star ambitions in 2023
In this continuing series, Sixers Wire looks at the 20 players, per Sportrac, that comprise the Philadelphia 76ers roster — 18 under contract and the two players on two-way deals — and gives each three goals for the 2022-23 season.
The new season begins on Oct. 18 and training camp begins on Sept. 27. Now is the time to begin previewing the new season of adventure that is Sixers basketball. Philadelphia will have to trim a few players because the active roster limit is 15.
This edition focuses on Tyrese Maxey who is on the rise after an impressive second season where he averaged 17.5 points and shot 42.7% from deep. That number jumped to 48% after the All-Star break with the addition of James Harden as the two developed elite chemistry.
For Maxey, his three goals for the new season are:
Be an All-Star in 2023
It would be tough for Maxey to break through in the Eastern Conference where there are so many prominent players at his position such as Trae Young, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, LaMelo Ball, Zach LaVine, and even Harden. However, Maxey has the talent to be able to fight through all of that and take the next step. If he becomes an All-Star, it means he morphed into a 23+ points per game scorer in order to complement the stars.
Become a better defender
This one will be tough considering Maxey’s smaller stature, but he has to become better on the defensive end of the floor. At the moment, the only real perimeter defender the Sixers have is Matisse Thybulle and he comes off the bench. While Tobias Harris has taken huge steps forward, it’s not like he’s an All-Defensive Team guy in the starting lineup. Maxey will have to take on more challenges defensively.
Carry 2022 into the new season
The way Maxey ended the 2021-22 season was very impressive as he was able to adjust to playing shooting guard fairly quickly. After being the point guard in the first half of the season due to the Ben Simmons saga, he was able to move over to the shooting guard position and that’s when he really took off. Considering how well he shot the ball and his ability to score, he has to carry that into the new season.
Will Tyrese Maxey make an All-Star team in 2022-23?
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