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PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward after a solid 2025-26 season, there is a school of thought that the Sixers are now on the timeline of young backcourt mates Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. The Sixers still have some elder statesmen in Joel Embiid and Paul George, but it feels as if the era of Maxey and Edgecombe is here.
Maxey took big steps forward in the 2025-26 season. He continued his growth as a leader, was named an All-Star for the second time in his career--first as a starter--and made sure the Sixers played a certain level every single night. It was an impressive showing for him in his sixth season, and he did a great job of bringing Edgecombe along quickly.
The performance of Maxey and Edgecombe caught the eye of Embiid, who acknowledged how terrific both players were in their leadership and growth.
"It’s good," Embiid first started on Maxey. "Obviously, when you're on a team, as a group, you kind of need everybody to just pitch in and do a bunch of different things. I’m quiet, but I lead in a different way. These guys will tell you. Tyrese is always happy, amazing to talk to. Great spirits. VJ, I think it's both, and as he keeps going, he’s going to lead more into it. PG leads in his own way, but I think he's done a fantastic job coming into the season to where we are."
Embiid has done a good job in his own way of bringing Maxey along since his rookie season. As mentioned, the big fella leads in his own way and he has helped Maxey grow as a player to get to this point. The two of them have remained close through it all and he is looking forward to both Maxey and Edgecombe growing as players, and as a tandem, in Philadelphia.
"I had him (Maxey) when he was so a rookie," Embiid finished. "So, to see the progression every single year that he’s made on the court, off the court, extremely proud of him, and I think VJ is on the same path, and that guy’s gonna be a monster."
As the Sixers move forward into the offseason, the front office will have to find a new leading voice, but one thing's for sure, that person will have to find a way to support Maxey and Edgecombe the best way they can to help them succeed.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Joel Embiid discusses leadership, growth of Sixers' young backcourt
Continue reading...
Maxey took big steps forward in the 2025-26 season. He continued his growth as a leader, was named an All-Star for the second time in his career--first as a starter--and made sure the Sixers played a certain level every single night. It was an impressive showing for him in his sixth season, and he did a great job of bringing Edgecombe along quickly.
The performance of Maxey and Edgecombe caught the eye of Embiid, who acknowledged how terrific both players were in their leadership and growth.
"It’s good," Embiid first started on Maxey. "Obviously, when you're on a team, as a group, you kind of need everybody to just pitch in and do a bunch of different things. I’m quiet, but I lead in a different way. These guys will tell you. Tyrese is always happy, amazing to talk to. Great spirits. VJ, I think it's both, and as he keeps going, he’s going to lead more into it. PG leads in his own way, but I think he's done a fantastic job coming into the season to where we are."
Embiid has done a good job in his own way of bringing Maxey along since his rookie season. As mentioned, the big fella leads in his own way and he has helped Maxey grow as a player to get to this point. The two of them have remained close through it all and he is looking forward to both Maxey and Edgecombe growing as players, and as a tandem, in Philadelphia.
"I had him (Maxey) when he was so a rookie," Embiid finished. "So, to see the progression every single year that he’s made on the court, off the court, extremely proud of him, and I think VJ is on the same path, and that guy’s gonna be a monster."
As the Sixers move forward into the offseason, the front office will have to find a new leading voice, but one thing's for sure, that person will have to find a way to support Maxey and Edgecombe the best way they can to help them succeed.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Joel Embiid discusses leadership, growth of Sixers' young backcourt
Continue reading...
