The Philadelphia 76ers came into the NBA season with a big hole at the point guard position. Ben Simmons has not been with the team all season, creating opportunities for other players to take advantage of.
One player who has seized the opportunity is second-year guard, Tyrese Maxey.
Maxey was the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. He is more of a scoring guard, but he was thrust into the starting point guard spot out of a necessity and has responded about as well as anyone could have expected.
For the season, Maxey is averaging 16.4 points, 4.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds in 34.5 minutes per game. He is shooting 46.6 percent overall from the field, 36.7 percent on 3-pointers and 86.7 percent from the foul line.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trade Talks Involving 76ers’ Ben Simmons Gaining Momentum
You wouldn’t know that Maxey has never played point guard at any level in his basketball career before this season. Head coach Doc Rivers has been very impressed with his performance thus far.
“He’s been great,” Rivers said. “There’s been times he’s shown some fatigue, just when to shoot, when to be aggressive, what type of shots. … Overall he’s been great. Defensively he’s been getting better. He’s a sponge, he listens, a lot of positive traits that you love.”
As a rookie, Maxey had a limited role with the 76ers off the bench. A bigger role could be expected in his second season with the team, but no one would have guessed it would expand this much.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trade Talks Involving 76ers’ Ben Simmons Gaining Momentum
His willingness to listen and learn is something that more young players should do. That has certainly helped him get more comfortable with what the Philadelphia 76ers are asking of him and his confidence is growing as a result.
“I think it’s just confidence, being myself, helping the team the best I can,” Maxey said. “I think now I’ve become a little more comfortable with it and just trying to do my part and help us win.”
Having a head coach that played the point guard position in the NBA is definitely a help for Maxey as well. That is not something every young player is afforded the chance of having. Rivers knows how difficult it is to lead an NBA team and is preaching patience when it comes to Maxey, who is still learning the position.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trade Talks Involving 76ers’ Ben Simmons Gaining Momentum
“That position is probably the toughest because you have to not only know yours, but you have to know everyone’s spot. You have to know what you’re looking for every time you run a set. It just takes time. I’m in no hurry.”
The results thus far have been excellent. Tyrese Maxey is thriving in his role and should only get better the more experience that he gains being the starting point guard in Philadelphia.
