Tyrese Maxey's Incredible Start for 76ers Deserves Serious MVP Attention

The Philadelphia 76ers could be preparing themselves to crown a member of their team as an MVP of the National Basketball Association.

Now some could try to paint the picture of LeBron James, but the answer is unequivocally Tyrese Maxey.  Maxey has been the brightest light on a 76ers team that has had to navigate through the shadows of injuries. Through the first five games Maxey has been outstanding for Philadelphia. 

Maxey has averaged 29.6 points, four assists, and three rebounds a game. For some, those are not astounding numbers, but look at who he has on his team. There are, of course, LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, whom many have raved about since the news of their acquisition. Then there’s the former MVP in Joel Embiid, not to mention there's the upstart sophomore VJ Edgecombe. 

It’s truly a who’s who of stars on this 76ers team. The main thing here is Maxey has been the most consistent one of the bunch. With Maxey ranking second in scoring average as well as points scored so far this season, behind only Luka Doncic. When you think of the MVP, most contribute to the amount of points scored per game. But let’s look at what the MVP actually stands for: Most Valuable Player, the literal definition of Tyrese Maxey. 

If Maxey weren’t on this team, the 76ers most certainly would have more than one loss on the season. Taking into account the game against the Charlotte Hornets, Maxey had 14 points in the fourth quarter that allowed the 76ers the opportunity to win that game. It’s even more impressive when you add in the fact that both Embiid and James have missed some games and we’re not even ten games into the season. 

Maxey has improved every season. Last season he averaged 28 and was in the top five for most clutch points in a season. His leadership is another factor that goes unnoticed. Maxey has brought a level of focus this season. It’s the biggest reason why his teammates defend him to the end. Maxey has even made a point to have a defensive presence this season. Maxey has a defensive rating of 105.3, the best of his career. 

This just goes to show just how dedicated Maxey is to this season, and he’s doing everything he can to prove himself. It also shows what he means to this team and how his numbers will always improve as long as he can remain healthy. 

It may be too early for an MVP conversation, but it definitely warrants a conversation.