Sixers continue to be blown away by how young Tyrese Maxey has grown
The Philadelphia 76ers have challenged second-year guard Tyrese Maxey. A team with championship aspirations has turned to the 21-year-old at point guard while the Ben Simmons saga unfolds.
Maxey is trying to learn how to balance scoring needs and point guard demands while dealing with a desperately short-handed team. He has not blinked.
In Tuesday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Maxey had 31 points on 12-for-24 shooting while knocking down four 3s. It was an impressive performance against the defending champions and an elite defender, Jrue Holiday.
“The kid’s unreal,” marveled Georges Niang. “When I think about what I was doing at 21 years old, it would not be scoring 31 points in an NBA game and being able to play large amounts of minutes and walk in every day with a smile on his face. The kid has so much energy and so much pizzazz and he’s so poised. I’m so happy for him because everything that’s going on with our team, this allows him to have growth in his career.”
Maxey continues to take steps each game and Tuesday was no exception. In a game the Sixers needed somebody to lead, the second-year guard did so. He has been growing into this role since the first day of training camp.
“I think confidence, leadership, voice, being more vocal,” said Maxey. “At the beginning of the year, I would say timid, to speak my mind or try to lead with my voice. I think now I’ve become a little more comfortable with it and just trying to do my part and help us win.”
His strong play has earned the respect of teammates. Danny Green, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Seth Curry, Niang and Andre Drummond are among those constantly in his ear and in his corner. Their efforts are paying off.
“Just my teammates trusting me; my teammates talking to me,” Maxey added. “Especially like the older guys as far as the Dannys, the Georges, the Joels, the Tobias, Seth, they help me a lot. They really help me a lot. They stuck with me, they really helped me, and they say they believe in me. When those guys say they believe in you, you just go out there, you play the game, and you try to help them do whatever it takes to win.”
Despite being so young\, Maxey has not backed down from challenges. He has embraced constructive criticism from teammates. The team is on him to get better on a daily basis, and he is taking advantage of his opportunity.
“Who would’ve said if things were different that he’d have this opportunity?” added Niang. “I love that he’s maximizing it. For him to come in and do what he does every day and take ownership of it. Guys are on him. Tyrese doesn’t get any grace from anybody and he takes it on the chin and continues to grow and be better and it shows. The kid was phenomenal. He’s been phenomenal.”
Maxey and the Sixers look to continue that growth on Thursday when they host the Toronto Raptors.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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