The Sixers were on to a good start this season, and despite having James Harden out of the picture, they have been putting up good numbers, currently leading the Atlantic Division in the second spot. Without a doubt, much of this success can be attributed to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, whose names are all over the Sixers’ charts. Embiid leads the team in points (35), rebounds (11.7), and blocks (2), while Maxey leads in assists with a 6.5 average.

As we move deeper into the season, the debate surrounding the MVP title has been picking up pace, and we now find ourselves in a situation where Maxey—who has greatly improved this season—might stand in the way of Embiid’s bid for the title. And this is what NBA legend and Embiid’s former teammate JJ Redick wonders out loud.

Maxey has been consistent this season

In a recent episode of his podcast The Old Man and the Three, Redick asks the million-dollar question, “He [Maxey] has been awesome throughout. So he got up to this great start and there really hasn’t been a drop-off….If Maxey is still a top 10 player in EPM or all of these you know, advanced individual stats, does that in any way shape, or form hurt Joel’s case?”

To answer his question, Redick admits that while Maxey has been on a roll this season, there is an element of the “Joel-Maxey partnership” potentially elevating him to the level we see right now. Maxey especially shone during Friday’s game in Houston where he dropped an impressive 42 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Embiid, on the other hand, has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury.

Embiid increases Maxey’s efficiency

Although Philly is probably still a big player outside of real title contention, Maxey’s rise alters the parameters of the role they lack. With Embiid leading the league in points with an average of 35 points per game, the conversation naturally comes back to the reigning MVP. There is no doubt that Maxey has proven himself as a more dynamic scorer than last season, and he might hamper Embiid’s chances of pocketing the back-to-back title.

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However, as Redick has pointed out, Maxey’s performance is enhanced whenever Embiid is on the floor. Stats are not necessary to understand this, as it is obvious from watching the games. Nonetheless, we still have a long season ahead, and if Maxey keeps up with this consistency, the damage will be more visible.