With Ben Simmons remaining absent from the Philadelphia 76ers, Doc Rivers has been tasked with finding a new floor general for his starting lineup. Through two preseason games, we have seen Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton get an opportunity to run with the starters.
Both guards are up for the challenge, but there will be growing pains. Neither can necessarily be labeled a true point guard and are at their best when looking to score the ball. Luckily for the Sixers, they have a great staff that should make this transition as smooth as possible.
When Doc Rivers arrived in Philadelphia, he did not come alone. The future Hall of Fame head coach did an incredible job filling out his staff with great basketball minds.
One of the more underrated names on Rivers' staff is Sam Cassell. The two have a long history together, dating back to when Rivers coached Cassell during his time in Boston. There is a reason Rivers has kept Cassell by his side for almost a decade now. He is good at what he does.
Being a former player, Sam Cassell understands what it takes to be a point guard in the NBA. His experience and knowledge of the game have made him a great asset to the new generation of guards.
Multiple players have praised Sam Cassell over the years for what he's done for their development. Some of the more notable names include John Wall during his time in Washington, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in his short stint with the Clippers. Cassell also built a strong relationship with Ben Simmons last year during his first season in Philadelphia.
Tyrese Maxey can now be added to the list of guards Cassell has left his mark on. While Maxey is still a work in progress, the two have already established a tight bond. Doc Rivers gave some insight into this during his pregame press conference Thursday night.
“Sam [Cassell] has been with him for two years now, going on his second year. Sam has a great history with guards, and they have a great relationship. Sam and Spencer are the two guys that work with him the most. They spent the summer with him, a lot of time this summer. It's been good for him,” said Rivers.
Few players have the kind of assets around them to help fast track their development like Maxey does. Between Rivers and Cassell, there is endless amounts of knowledge to gain about the point guard position. Tyrese Maxey being the hard worker that he is, should put all he's learning to good use.
No matter what happens with Simmons, finding the balance between scorer and facilitator is crucial for Maxey's development. Even if Daryl Morey acquires a point guard in a deal somewhere down the line, Maxey will still be called on to lead the second unit. Embracing a floor general nature is something he has to incorporate into his game.
Between Cassell's track record and Maxey's work ethic, we are sure to see results at some point down the line. For the second season in a row, Sam Cassell has a chance to be the behind-the-scenes X-factor for the 76ers.
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