Sixers basketball is back! Philadelphia won by 25 with a score of 95-73 in their first Summer League game. With some standout performances, these are my main takeaways.
1. Tyrese Maxey Is Incredible!
Tyrese Maxey showed out in today’s game with a statline of 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals on 53% shooting. Maxey’s pull-up jumper looked really good today, as he went 3/6 from three, one of which being a smooth stepback three out of the pick and roll.
The best thing about the pull up shooting is it didn’t seem forced or that he was unsure of himself. Based on his rookie playoff campaign, we knew Tyrese was confident in himself but it’s a good box to check.
Not only was Maxey’s shooting prowess improved, but he made some stellar passes on the court today. His vision and instinct is a great tool for Doc Rivers and the Sixers.
2. Isaiah Joe Is HERE!!!!
Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time to board the Isaiah Joe hype train. I mean, this is the kinda player you want on your team. Irrationally confident and fun to watch when he’s hot. He put on a show today, but I’m not just talking points. This’ll be a theme today but he was active defensively. I mean, taking a charge during a Summer League game ? I almost cried tears of joy.
I’m begging he gets minutes over guards like Furkan Korkmaz or Shake Milton. He makes good decisions and is a capable defender while still giving you good shooting. You look at a guy like Milton that can’t consistently provide all of that at an adaquate.
3. Jaden Springer’s Debut Was Promising!
Of course, you don’t want to make too much of a Summer League game. It’s his first NBA action and he even said himself he had jitters in his postgame presser. Though there are some things you can make note of, I want to bring up the positives first. Jaden was incredible today defensively, he was always around the ball somehow.
Offensively wasn’t as easy for Jaden today as he went 4/12 for 11 points and 2 assists. He took good shots, but didn’t look very comfortable until the third quarter rolled around. He got out in transition and made some tough layups against bigger guys.
Springer has incredible strength as a rookie, and you could see that in today’s game. It was hard for guys to get past him, or handle him when he was trying to get to the basket. That’s something that the Sixers could definitely use in their guard rotation.
4. Rayjon Tucker Can JUMP !
I mean, did you see those dunks? Even on the missed dunk, I gasped! The guy is getting his head above the rim nearly every time. I don’t know what his role could be for Philadelphia down the line, but he’s fun to watch. And to be frank, that’s all that matters in Summer League. It’s a lotta fun to watch low-end roster guys show off how much better they are at basketball than you and I.
All in all, a fun day for Philadelphia fans to see the team (kinda) back in action! With this pace, they’re looking to be better than the ‘96 Bulls! I’m only half joking there. Good night, see y’all again on Thursday!
Cover Image Credit: Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images
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