Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Back
Sixers' Tyrese Maxey talks preparation for playing with LeBron James

DETROIT -- Playing with Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James is no easy task. He is a unique superstar with an incredibly high basketball IQ and it takes a lot of work to be able to find a way to be effective out on the floor next to him.

Tyrese Maxey has found a way to do so in the early part of the season. The 7-year guard is averaging 28.0 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 48.6% from the floor. In the early part of the season, Maxey and James have found a way to dominate as the Sixers have a plus-7.1 net rating when the two of them share the floor per databallr.

It's easy to compare, but the immediate thought is James' partnership with Kyrie Irving during his days with the Cleveland Cavaliers as well as with Dwyane Wade while with the Miami Heat. Watching those duos on the floor helped Maxey grow something similar with James while in Philadelphia.

"I was 16 years old and I watched probably every playoff game that they had," Maxey said after a win over the Pistons on Wednesday. "So, I was a big Kyrie fan growing up and I was a big D-Wade fan. So somehow I had to watch LeBron. But I did learn a lot from that because LeBron does a good job of getting those guys open."

James is so fantastic at orchestrating things on the offensive end. He picked the Pistons apart on Wednesday just by making sure everybody was in the right places on the floor as he was barking out orders and found his teammates with some eye-popping passes. Just as he did with guys like Irving and Wade in the past, and even Steph Curry and Kevin Durant in the Olympics, he is doing it with Maxey in Philadelphia. There have been plenty of instances in which James has hit Maxey right in his shooting pocket for an easy 3-point look or off a pindown screen or whatever action the Sixers are running.

Maxey, possessing a high understanding of this game in his own right, also understands how he can get James going on the offensive end.

"He does a good job of just being in the pocket for him so he can get open so we can hit him," Maxey added. "So I've been watching a lot of that old Kyrie film, watched a little bit of Steph and KD film and then just film with me and Bron. So, it's been good."

The Sixers will look to continue to grow as a group when they continue the road trip on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

You may like

Serge Ibaka visits OKC in recent Thunder win over Cavaliers

aol.com 1 hour ago

Lakers’ JJ Redick Reveals Major Change Helping Luka Doncic Thrive

si.com 2 hours ago

Utah Jazz's Biggest Winners and Losers From OT Loss to Pelicans

si.com 2 hours ago

‘Luka Dončić Got Sick and Tired of Having to Share the Stage With LeBron James’ – Skip Bayless Ma...

aol.com 42 minutes ago

Pelicans vs. Timberwolves: Injury Report, Game Preview 11/6/2026

nba.com 58 minutes ago

UConn, Michigan square off in national title rematch

cbssports.com 2 hours ago

Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg Gets Klay Thompson Seal Of Approval

aol.com 43 minutes ago

The Hornets Don't Need a Blockbuster Trade, but Their Backcourt Could Use Some Help

si.com 1 hour ago

Raptors Face a Tough $29 Million Decision With RJ Barrett

si.com 1 hour ago

Paolo Banchero Headlines Official Suns-Magic Injury Report

si.com 48 minutes ago