With Ben Simmons not ready to take the floor for the Sixers, Doc Rivers has had a rather large hole to fill in his starting lineup. Since his arrival, the former number one pick has been the maestro of the Sixers' offense. In Simmons' absence, Tyrese Maxey has been called upon to step into the starting lineup.
Molding Maxey into a point guard has not been seamless, but he continues to show nice flashes as a facilitator. Most recently, against the Pistons on Thursday when he dished a team-high six assists in a win. The balance he found between scorer and passer was his best since the season-opener against the New Orleans Pelicans last week.
While Maxey has taken on majority of the ballhandling duties in the starting lineup, that is not all Doc Rivers has done with him this season. Recently we've seen him blend the second-year guard's minutes between both lineups, allowing him to get different looks with different pairings of players.
Rivers touched on why he has played Maxey with the second unit at times during his pregame media availability Thursday.
“I like him with that unit more, at least right now. We're asking him to do so much for a guy that's never really played the position. When he's with that unit, it gives them so more pace. Gives them another guy that can bring the ball up the floor and actually get into the paint. We like him with that unit as well,” said Doc Rivers of Tyrese Maxey.
When playing with the second unit, Maxey can play more of the style he's comfortable with. As a starter, he is forced more into a role due to the star power in that lineup.”I don't think people really understand how difficult it is to play with stars. Instead of playing, you tend to spectate a lot and watch,” Rivers said pregame.
Ironically enough, Rivers made these comments before Shake Milton made his season debut later that night. Before Milton got injured in the preseason, both guards had the opportunity to run with the starting lineup.
Tyrese Maxey might remain a starter for the time being, but it feels like the beginning of him transitioning to become the Sixers' sixth man. Some might feel this is a demotion for Maxey, but it is the correct move.
When playing with the second unit, Maxey can embrace his combo guard nature. His ability to be a microwave scorer can be maximized more off the bench than in the starting lineup.
There is also the Simmons factor in all this. As the situation between him and the team continues to trend in the right direction, the return of the three-time All-Star could soon be on the horizon. Getting Maxey comfortable with the bench unit now will make his life easier when Simmons is back playing in games.
Tyrese Maxey has shown he can hold his own as a starter, but grooming him to be the sixth man is the best move for the Sixers long-term.
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