CAMDEN, N.J. — A popular topic of conversation for the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the new season will be the use of 3-guard lineups. The Sixers have a lot of talented guards led by Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes. There will undoubtedly be times when at least three of those guards are on the floor.
There are challenges and advantages for the Sixers when it comes to those types of lineups. Coach Nick Nurse went over those questions when it comes to those lineups to begin training camp. Maxey was a part of guard-heavy lineups during his collegiate season at Kentucky playing next to Immanuel Quickley and Ashton Hagans, so he knows what to expect and how those lineups can succeed.
“I think the biggest thing is you’ve got to be unselfish and you’ve got to have an open mind,” Maxey explained. “I’m going to give a shoutout to Coach (John) Calipari just because I played in a lot of three-guard lineups in college. Coming from high school, I played a lot on the ball, on the ball, on the ball. Then you get to college, and there’s three guys that can handle the ball, and push it at all times.”
The Sixers are going to need that sacrifice from all of the guards on the roster. Maxey will be the one to lead the overall group, but for a rookie like Edgecombe, who had the ball in his hands at Baylor, will have to be able to play off the ball and make some unselfish plays. The same goes for McCain and Grimes–who was the No. 1 option down the stretch for the injury-ravaged Sixers.
If they can all blend together and make things happen in a positive way on or off the ball, then the Sixers are going to be in a great position for the upcoming season. All of them can handle the ball, score in isolation, shoot the ball, and put pressure on the rim with penetration. That can be deadly for the Sixers.
“That just really helps, especially when you have dynamic shooting, dynamic playmaking, guys that can play off the catch, play off closeouts, attack the paint,” Maxey finished. “It makes you more dangerous.”