"Maxey's going to be better than James Harden" - Anonymous NBA executive makes bold claim, says Tyrese Maxey is top breakout candidate
Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers was voted as the top breakout candidate for the 2022-23 NBA season.Twenty executives were polled by HoopsHype to make a list of breakout candidates for this season. An NBA general manager reckons Maxey could fare better James Harden.
That was quite a compliment to give to the third-year Sixers star guard. Harden is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He's a former MVP and one of the top 75 players ever. Maxey has the potential to be a great player, but he has some way to go to reach MVP-level.
"Maxey’s going to be better than James Harden," the GM said. "He just keeps getting better and better and will be a huge reason why they have success this season."
Tyrese Maxey received 26% of the total maximum votes. Five executives had him as their No. 1 breakout candidate. He beat out young players such as Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic.
Another executive explained to HoopsHype why Maxey is his breakout candidate. The exec said Maxey is an efficient three-level scorer and a very good defender.
"Maxey's playing with more confidence while being a more efficient scorer from all three levels," the executive said. "He's also become a more physical defender."
In the Philadelphia 76ers' opening night loss to the Boston Celtics, Maxey had 21 points.
He was the third-best player for the Sixers behind James Harden and Joel Embiid. Harden had 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Embiid added 26 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.
Tyrese Maxey: All-Star and Most Improved Player
Tyrese Maxey is entering his third season in the NBA. He was one of the most improved players in the league last season, averaging 17.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He's expected to take another leap this season and help the Philadelphia 76ers contend for a championship.
ESPN's Marc J. Spears reckons Maxey is going to be a difference maker for the Sixers this season. Spears has also predicted that Maxey could be an All-Star and Most Improved Player candidate, putting up career numbers.
"The difference maker is Tyrese Maxey," Spears said. "If you look at how he played in the preseason, he averaged about a point a minute. His career high is about 17 points a game. I think he eclipse that and becomes the number two scorer in this team."
He continued:
"He becomes an All-Star candidate, a Most Improved Player of the Year candidate. I expect a great year from Tyrese Maxey. And him being the reason why this team is going to step up to a championship-caliber level."
The Philadelphia 76ers have went all in this season, with James Harden signing a discounted extension. The Sixers signed Danuel House and P.J. Tucker in free agency, while Joel Embiid remains one of the best players in the NBA.