Over the course of this year’s offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers have undergone a massive transformation. From being a playoff contender led by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers have suddenly emerged as a superpower in the East after acquiring LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.
Needless to say, the general expectation for a superteam is to contend for the title right off the bat. While the sheer collection of talent would certainly place the 76ers in a favorable position, finding a middle ground and building chemistry remains vital to that process. On a promising note, however, the trio of Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and LeBron James has already taken the necessary steps to get the ball rolling.
With three of the 76ers’ superstars hosting a joint practice, the chemistry-building exercise seems to be underway. After the workout, Tyrese Maxey had a positive reaction to his first-ever session with his new teammates. He shared:
“First time all three of us worked out, correct. It went well. Great communication. Great vibes. Great energy. Three guys who work very hard and take our games very seriously. So that was great.”
It comes as no surprise that the players at the workout were all known for their work ethic. Jaylen Brown’s intense approach to his offseason training has been well-documented. Meanwhile, considering how fit James is even at 41, there is every reason to believe Maxey has taken a page from the veteran’s book.
In a follow-up question, Maxey was asked who reached practice first that morning. The 76ers’ guard responded:
“Probably Bron, more than likely. Those guys are a little bit older, so they need to do a little bit more stretching than me. I get there, I foam roll, and I’m ready to go.”
Maxey’s last comment may have been a playful jab at his older teammates, though Brown, at 29, is still very much in his prime. Overall, the friendly banter could also provide a glimpse into how their bond is developing. With increased commitment from each of the 76ers’ stars, Philadelphia has immense potential to be a title favorite next season.
LeBron James Praises Tyrese Maxey’s Work Ethic
LeBron James’ arrival in Philadelphia was largely triggered by the 76ers’ acquisition of Jaylen Brown. However, Tyrese Maxey’s role in convincing James to consider Philadelphia as a landing spot cannot be overlooked.
Maxey and James have developed a close bond. Aside from being Klutch clients, the two have also worked out together over the last few summers. On that note, James had nothing but praise for Tyrese Maxey’s work ethic during an interview.
“I’ve worked out and trained with him over the last few summers. Every morning, 5:00 AM, 5:30, whatever it is, we’re in the gym. His dedication shows up; he’s on time, on target every single day,” James stated. “He’s a guy who just loves the game and is taking full advantage of the opportunity in Philly.”
“I talked when we played Philly not too long ago about how not only incredible a basketball player he is, but how much better he is as a person, which is saying a lot because he’s an unbelievable basketball player.”
Receiving praise from a superstar like LeBron James is certainly significant, but there is every reason to say Maxey deserves it.
Over the last two seasons, Maxey has slowly but surely positioned himself as the face of the 76ers’ franchise. With Embiid struggling to stay healthy, the guard made a massive jump, establishing himself as the team’s offensive focal point.
Last season was particularly special for the 25-year-old, as he appeared in 70 games and averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range. As one of the most electrifying young players in the game, Tyrese Maxey was a vital reason behind Philadelphia’s playoff push.
Despite his meteoric rise, many believe that Maxey’s growth will be stunted next season due to the arrival of veterans such as Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. Although these are valid concerns, Maxey has been quite forthcoming about these changes, even displaying a willingness to sacrifice his role for the sake of winning.
In many ways, Tyrese Maxey’s approach to the situation is quite inspiring, but it should not undervalue how important he will be next season. Given how impactful he can be on any given night, the 76ers will undoubtedly give him free rein on offense several times next season.
