With McCain Gone, Maxey is the Sole “Small” Scoring Machine Holding the Sixers Together
Why Tyrese Maxey is the glue holding what’s left of the 76ers’ playoff hopes together, and why he’s statistically one of the most talented players in the league despite detractors pointing to a potential regression in 2024-2025
At times earlier in the season, it felt like the combination of Jared McCain and Tyrese Maxey’s scoring and playmaking ability was the only thing keeping a 76ers team afloat that initially came into the season relying on an injured and aging Joel Embiid, and a clearly out of his prime Paul George.
With McCain injured and out for the year, Tyrese Maxey has been the critical energizer bunny element (second to only Mikal Bridges in distance run per game) and most deadly scorer in the Sixers’ recent wins.
the marvelous Mr. Maxey pic.twitter.com/BuaXP7NVvX
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 8, 2024
If the 76ers can crawl out of the Eastern Conference dungeon they started in earlier this season and limp into the playoffs (literally and figuratively), it will be Maxey’s efforts that elevate the team to the championship-level of play Philadelphia has been so desperate for going all the way back to Sam Hinkie’s resignation letter and Colangelo’s wife’s burner.
Maxey’s combination of awareness, scoring ability, and defensive relentlessness is precisely what the Sixers have needed to take them over the top in recent devasting playoff exits.
At the moment, Maxey is leading point guards in steals per game and is 2nd in the NBA regardless of position, and he is averaging the sixth-most PPG among PGs (11th in the NBA) in addition to the ninth-most 3PM per game (19th overall).
He has the uncanny ability to seemingly always make the best basketball decision to create the most efficient offensive opportunity possible for not just himself, but for whoever has the best matchup at any given moment.
I know this is just a wide open transition lob but it’s been visible the past week just how much on court chemistry Tyrese Maxey and KJ Martin have with each other pic.twitter.com/UbFd1fJdYn
— Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) December 4, 2024
That decision making has only improved year-to-year as this season he’s averaging the fourth-fewest turnovers per game, and Maxey ranks 201st overall in the NBA in average turnovers per game with only 0.7 per game.
When he gets double-teamed, he’s quick to find the wide open man or exploit the two-man shift to split the defenders.
He’s keenly aware of his teammates’ positions at all times, and like an elite quarterback he goes through his reads and progressions and seemingly has a plan A, B, C, and Z for every possession.
If Maxey is wide open he pulls up. If doubled, he finds the open man. If the shot clock is running out and nothing looks open, he creates his own space and either drives for one of the most impressive finishes you’ve ever seen, or swishes a three-pointer over an extended defender.
In addition to his quick and effective decision making, Maxey has remarkable separation ability and unique athleticism which allows him to blow by defenders and forces teams to defensively play him as both a driver and a shooter.
Maxey has added the ability to score consistently from anywhere on the court to his arsenal over the years, and he’s currently one of the best and most creative finishers in the league in addition to a deadly outside shooting threat, in part as evidenced by the fact that he’s one of only 14 players so far this season with a triple-double.
When the 76ers signed Paul George this offseason this is exactly the type of team offense they hoped to see a lot of. Tyrese Maxey creates an advantage and puts Portland in rotation. Look at the space, quick decision-making and unselfishness. Beautiful.pic.twitter.com/6gineByQun
— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) December 31, 2024
He’s also showing up when it matters most with clutch dunks, jumpers, and assists in the waning moments of games, and he ranks third in the NBA in clutch free throw percentage this season (per NBA.com).
We know Mad Maxey has a knack for taking the ball to the hoop, but his improvement in his passing and three-point shooting have been the difference makers in his game.
Finally, the moment never seems to big for Maxey as we’ve seen him come up with dunks and clutch shots on countless occasions now for the Sixers, and he’s done it during both the regular and postseason.
Moreover, when Maxey makes a mistake or a turnover he bounces back easily which is an absolute must-have in any franchise player. That trait is an infections one, and when Maxey plays at his best his teammates elevate their rebounding and scoring to match and assist with his fast pace of play.
Maxey & KJ
Coming to an ESPN Top 10 nearest you! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wiS62UAhJK
— Sixers Nation (@PHLSixersNation) December 21, 2024
The 76ers know the young, healthy Maxey is their best bet in terms of looking for a player you can depend on every night, and he has the 12th-highest usage percentage among all NBA guards at the moment.
While the 76ers started the regular season much like the 2007 Detroit Lions, they are hoping to end their regular season more like the 2007 Patriots and are 13-3 over their last 16 games.
If Philadelphia wants to keep their recently-found winning ways afloat, they’ll need Maxey to continue playing like the superstar he is… and then some.
