While All-Stars Joel Embiid and James Harden will play larger roles, the contributions of second-year Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey could be an X-factor in determining the postseason ceiling for this star-studded Philadelphia club, writes Jared Dubin of FiveThirtyEight.
Maxey’s true shooting numbers have risen dramatically since Harden joined the team and Maxey shifted to off-ball duties more often, Dubin notes. His scoring averaged has increased, even as his usage and assist numbers have dropped a bit. Maxey, who has yet to be a net positive defender, will need to maximize his abilities on that end for Philadelphia to make a playoff push, Dubin adds.
There’s more out of Philly:
- Sixers All-Star guard James Harden thinks his teammate, All-Star center Joel Embiid, is worthy of 2022 MVP honors, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “He deserves it, man,” Harden said. “I’ve only been here for a few weeks, but I already see his mindset. He wants to win. Some guys just want numbers, but he has both. He has the mentality of winning, and he scores the ball at a high level. I think he’s prepared himself, especially coming off last year, for this year to be one of his best years.” Through 60 games for Philadelphia, Embiid is averaging 29.8 PPG, 11.3 RPG and 4.3 APG. With a 46-27 record, the Sixers are currently the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference.
- Harden continues to work through lingering left hamstring tightness, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’s still not there,” Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said. “But [in] three weeks, we really feel at the time, he’ll be there at 100%.” Harden has put up solid numbers in the games he has been able to play for Philadelphia, averaging 23.0 PPG, 9.9 APG, and 7.6 RPG across 13 contests.
- The Sixers now sit atop the Eastern Conference by percentage points over the Heat, losers of four straight. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer wonders if, record aside, Philadelphia is truly ready reach the NBA Finals this year. “Our focus is getting better every single day,” Joel Embiid reflected on the team’s development throughout the season. “We are not worried about the standings. We just want to get to a point where we know what we know we are doing at all times on the court, especially on the offensive side.”
Yes
Embiid is the MVP
Yeah it’s his turn for it. Had Jokic not won it last year, maybe there’s a better argument, but as long as Embiid doesn’t just absolutely suck the last few games, he’ll win it.
Embiid may be the MVP but the key to their success rests with Harden’s left hamstring.
Is Maxey a top 10 player age 22 or younger?
Doncic
Morant
Ball
Garland
Zion
Edwards
Jackson Jr
Herro
Poole
Mobley
Barnes
Maxey
Cunningham? Giddey?
Simons in there as well.
The bottom half of that 10 has holes in it. He beats out Herro and Poole for sure.
I always compare Andre Drummund to Wilt.
76ers trade away Wilt?
Your joking, I hope !
PHI better don’t end with the #1-2 or they might very well be out in the R1EC… everyone must try to avoid BRK in the first round!
Not beating the Nets in 1st rd. Can’t wait for that series. Heat don’t want no part of Nets. Nets still could make a run for the 6th seed. But it’s looking like the 7th seed to me. That means the 2nd seed in 1st rd.
Maxey is playing well. The guy they need is Tobias to step up.
Ideally the Nets win the playin become the 7th seed and lose to the Heat, Raptors or Celtics.
Sixers would ideally play the Bulls in R2 and then Heat, Raptors, or Celtics in the ECF.
That would be the easiest path, if they held onto 1st place.
Embiid is certainly deserving of mvp…
Will an American ever win this award again?
Yeah Embiid is the #3 in the MVP board… Jokic is light years ahead & Giannis is comfortably ahead as well!
Sixers simply has no chance. Embid will be soon holding his knees and Harden his hammy to justify both of their poor play in postseason.