Tyrese Maxey has been the most trusted soldier on the Philadelphia 76ers. The 24-year-old star continues to do the significant heavy lifting as superstars like Joel Embiid and Paul George struggle with injuries.
The 76ers selected Maxey as the 21st pick in the 2020 draft. Initially, coming off the bench, he has showed consistent growth, winning Most Improved Player in 2024. Today, Tyrese stands as the focal point of the Philly franchise, given the injuries to its top superstars.
Carrying the maximum load for the most part did take a toll on Maxey’s health as well, limiting him to 52 games in the 2024-25 season. Still, in his five years in the league, he has seen everything offensively and defensively, as he was recently asked about the toughest players he had to face so far on that end.
Maxey is a better player offensively, but can hold his own on defense, too.
“Steph and Kyrie, they’re definitely the hardest players to guard for me. Steph, because he running around screens all game and Kyrie, he’s hard to guard, but he’s also fun to guard because he’s going to do all the dribble combinations. Feels like guarding an actual 2K player,” stated Maxey.
Well, it is certainly hard to argue against Maxey, considering what Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry bring to the table, with their distinctive skill sets.
Irving and Curry are generational talents
Kyrie and Steph are arguably two of the greatest guards we have seen over the last decade in the NBA. Both have mastered their biggest strengths, be it ball handling for Irving or 3-point shooting for Curry.
Both Irving and Curry share a long history, facing each other in three consecutive Finals between 2015 and 2017. While Steph holds a 2-1 edge in these matchups, Kyrie hit the shot of shots against Steph in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals to win the championship.
Arch-rivals on the court, the two veteran guards have the highest regard for each other. Not the most physically gifted athletes, Irving and Curry were able to identify their individual strengths and perfect them. Making them a source of inspiration for many young prospects, including Maxey as well, who aims to take the mantle of the 76ers in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Setting the tone in Philly
Finishing the 2024-25 season with a disappointing 24-58 record, tensions have been running high in the Sixers’ camp, with Joel Embiid at its center. The 2023 MVP played only 19 games last season, dealing with injuries, internal conflicts and controversies for the most part.
Adding to the disappointment was Paul George’s lackluster debut season, which shifted most of the pressure onto Maxey, who now aims to rebuild the 76ers’ identity in the upcoming season.
“I think the biggest thing that I’m trying to accomplish is we need a standard. Like this is who we are, no matter every single day, no matter who plays, no matter who doesn’t play. When you see the Philadelphia 76ers, this is what you see,”said Maxey, as he looks to turn a new page with the Sixers in the upcoming season.
Fans hope to see Tyrese take his game to the next level and demonstrate a similar impact to Irving and Curry.
But leading a big-expectations franchise like the 76ers is not going to be easy.