A “black cloud” was lifted from over the heads of the Philadelphia 76ers early on Tuesday morning. After a protracted, drawn out saga that included James Harden publicly criticizing his workforce’s common supervisor and finally being denying him entry to the workforce aircraft, the 2 have lastly parted methods. As was his desire, Harden has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, and can play in his hometown for the primary time in his profession.
Tyrese Maxey Ought to Thrive With Harden’s Departure From 76ers
“I texted [James Harden] telling him I really like [and appreciate] him… One factor that he actually put in in me is confidence… He made me much more assured than I already was… He took me below his wing, taught me a whole lot of issues.”
—Tyrese Maxey 🗣
(by way of @BySamDiGiovanni) pic.twitter.com/8bgez0SbY8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 31, 2023
A lot of the information is after all in regards to the Clippers and the way Harden improves their standing within the Western Convention. Their beginning lineup is now one of many extra harmful models within the league, and the franchise is trying to capitalize on the championship home windows of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
However what in regards to the workforce that Harden departed from? The place do the 76ers go from right here? There are questions on their famous person and reigning MVP Joel Embiid, and what precisely he plans to do along with his future. There’s the thought that Philadelphia will do what they’ll as a way to herald one other star to entice Embiid to remain, although that participant is likely to be a 3rd star if Tyrese Maxey continues on his present trajectory.
Maxey is in his fourth season as a professional after being drafted twenty first general by Philadelphia in 2020. He has proven marked enchancment in every of his years within the league, and obtained his scoring common as much as 20+ factors on 43% taking pictures from 3-point vary. Whereas he performed 33 minutes per, Maxey began in simply 41 of the video games, with Harden typically getting the nod as a substitute.
MIP Award Is Maxey’s To Lose
Tyrese Maxey to this point this season
30.3 PPG6.7 RPG6.3 APG68.8% TS
pic.twitter.com/jWlFSMm9lG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 30, 2023
However that may all be altering, now. The 76ers backcourt formally belongs to Tyrese Maxey, and he has been doing a wonderful job of staking his declare early on within the 2023-24 season. By means of the primary three video games of the yr, he’s averaging 30 factors per recreation, and his rebound and help numbers are spectacular, too. He already has a 31 level, 8 help recreation to this point this yr, in addition to a 24 level, 10 rebound efficiency as effectively.
Maxey is the outright chief for Most Improved Participant as effectively. The pattern measurement is after all small, and he started the season because the slight favourite within the class anyway. However the guard’s designation at BetOnline for MIP is at the moment sitting at +200, down from the +300 that we noticed on Monday night time earlier than Harden was traded away. We’re very early within the season, however it’s at the moment a two-man race for the award, with Cam Thomas (+450) becoming a member of Maxey close to the highest. The subsequent lowest designation belongs to Cade Cunningham at +1000.