Tyrese Maxey has only an optimistic outlook for the Philadelphia 76ers but is bereft of positivity. He is like an energizer bunny with a let’s go mentality. And that makes him endearing to one and all. Maxey poured his heart out to a one-time Sixer and the host of “The Old Man and the Three” podcast, JJ Reddick. As they lament each other’s playoff pains and heartbreaks, the 76ers are still in turmoil.

Despite having 2 MVPs in Joel Embiid and James Harden, the Sixers bowed out unceremoniously last season. And with the current James Harden fiasco, the 76ers are in a Ground Hog Day loop, that they cannot escape from.

The Trauma of Playoffs

JJ Reddick has played in one NBA finals with the Orlando Magic team that had prime Dwight Howard. His Magic team got crushed by Kobe’s Lakers. That was 2009 and JJ’s third year in the league, and ever since then, this three-point specialist has been with some elite teams that could never live up to its potential.

10 years later, JJ came real close to playing in his NBA finals with the 76ers team that boasted talents like Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris. Yet they got bumped out when that rim gave a friendly roll to Kawhi Leonard’s 3-point shot. And the Toronto Raptors went on to win the Championship. These are JJ’s memories that are haunting him.

The 76ers’ history repeated itself last season. They had a 3-1 lead over the Celtics until Jayson Tatum woke up in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter to hit a barrage of 3s that turned the series around. This time, it was Tyrese Maxey’s turn to watch his team go down like a pack of cards. And in his fledgling career, Maxey has seen some game 7 upsets that are haunting him too.

Philly needs a Saviour

The 76ers have always had exceptional talent. It was the coming together of those talents that they have lacked, or continue to lack. Earlier it was Ben Simmons and now it is James Harden who wants to go out of Philly. If they could unite and work as a team, like the Warriors or the Bucks, they give themselves a chance to taste success. And that would be the new coach Nick Nurse’s challenge.

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As for Tyrese Maxey, he needs to grow up fast. He would become the primary point guard if James Harden left. And now this young fella should be ready for the ultimate responsibility.

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