Tyrese Maxey has already proven he can put up numbers. Now, he wants to be measured by something else entirely: winning.
The 25-year-old is coming off a career-high 28.3 points per game and has earned two All-Star selections over the past three seasons, but individual production isn’t how he wants his upcoming season with the Philadelphia 76ers to be evaluated.
“I’m at the point now where I’ve showed what I can do talent-wise,” Maxey said, according to ESPN. “Of course, I’m going to continue to get better, but I want to be judged by winning. If we win, that’s what I want to be judged by. That’s really my main mindset, my main goal, is finding ways to win.”
That mindset could be important on a Sixers roster featuring Joel Embiid, LeBron James and newcomer Jaylen Brown alongside Maxey.
With several established stars sharing the floor, roles will inevitably look different. Maxey made it clear he isn’t concerned about where he sits in the pecking order and is prepared to do whatever Nick Nurse asks.
“Because I’ve played so many different roles, I’m capable of doing so many different things,” Maxey said. “And I think that’s going to be a positive for myself and for this team. I can play on the ball. I can play off the ball. I can play in transition. I can catch and shoot. Play off [of] pin downs. I can play pick-and-roll. … I’m going to play however they need me to play. However Coach [Nick Nurse] wants to play, that’s how I’m going to play.”
Maxey also had plenty of praise for his new teammates, particularly Brown as he adjusts to Philadelphia after spending his entire career in Boston.
“JB’s like physically a freak of nature,” Maxey added. “He’s just stronger than you. He jumps higher than you. He’s faster than you and he’s very talented. Those are the things that you see every single day. And I think what’s stood out to me so far is his communication and he’s willing to pick up the ball defensively, kind of just do whatever coach needs him to do right now.”
For Maxey, however, the message entering the season remains simple.
Individual numbers are no longer enough. He wants wins.
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