PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 20: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers works towards the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on November 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon, Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
There is a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the role of Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey with the arrival of James Harden. A reporter asked Maxey whether he knew how his role would change with the acquisition of Harden. He stated that he had no idea.
Although Maxey doesn’t have an idea, the arrival of James Harden will likely cause him to take a step back as a player. Maxey has been most efficient with the ball in his hands throughout his basketball journey.
Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress: Maxey’s skillset
Maxey averaged 0.98 points per possession as a pick and roll ball handler at the University of Kentucky. His pick and roll statistics were good enough to put him in the 86th percentile among all college players who ran a pick and roll.
The young guard was able to pair his pick and roll skillset with transition success, as he averaged 1.24 points per possession as a Kentucky Wildcat, which put him in the 84th percentile among all college players.
Maxey has been able to transfer those skill sets into the NBA. He has spent 43.8 percent of his possessions as a pick and roll ball handler during his time in the NBA, averaging 5.2 per game. He has shot 47.5 percent from the field on 4.5 shots per game and has generated 5.1 points per game – 42.5 percent of his scoring output.
Pick and roll isn’t the only skillset he has been able to transfer into his NBA career, as he has also been successful in transition. Transition accounts for 15.5 percent of Maxey’s total possessions, averaging 1.8 per game. Maxey has shot 55.4 percent from the field on 1.5 shots per game, generating 2.3 points – 19.2 percent of his total scoring output.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey with the arrival of James Harden. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/james-harden-tyrese-maxey-regress/"https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/11/tyrese-maxey-reacts-to-sixers-acquiring-james-harden-ready-to-learn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A reporter asked Maxey</a> whether he knew how his role would change with the acquisition of Harden. He stated that he had no idea.</p>
<p>Although Maxey doesn’t have an idea, the arrival of James Harden will likely cause him to take a step back as a player. Maxey has been most efficient with the ball in his hands throughout his basketball journey.</p>
<h2>Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress: Maxey’s skillset</h2>
<p>Maxey averaged 0.98 points per possession as a pick and roll ball handler at the University of Kentucky. His pick and roll statistics were good enough to put him in the 86th percentile among all college players who ran a pick and roll.</p>
<p>The young guard was able to pair his pick and roll skillset with transition success, as he averaged 1.24 points per possession as a Kentucky Wildcat, which put him in the 84th percentile among all college players.</p>
<p>Maxey has been able to transfer those skill sets into the NBA. He has spent 43.8 percent of his possessions as a pick and roll ball handler during his time in the NBA, averaging 5.2 per game. He has shot 47.5 percent from the field on 4.5 shots per game and has generated 5.1 points per game – 42.5 percent of his scoring output.</p>
<p>Pick and roll isn’t the only skillset he has been able to transfer into his NBA career, as he has also been successful in transition. Transition accounts for 15.5 percent of Maxey’s total possessions, averaging 1.8 per game. Maxey has shot 55.4 percent from the field on 1.5 shots per game, generating 2.3 points – 19.2 percent of his total scoring output.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/james-harden-tyrese-maxey-regress/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> James Harden's ball dominance </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 05: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 05, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress: Harden’s ball dominance</h2>
<p>Unfortunately, the arrival of James Harden will push his strengths into the background. Harden is a player that is used to having the ball in his hands for most of the game. He has been in the top 10 in touches per game since 2016, averaging 88.8 touches per game. When Harden has the ball in his hands, he holds it for a long time.</p>
<p>Harden has also been in the top 5 in average seconds per touch, holding the ball for 6.1 seconds each time he touches the ball. More importantly, Harden has thrived in the particular play type where guards are featured in the 76ers offense.</p>
<p>Philadelphia currently spends 17.4 percent of their possessions in the pick and roll, averaging 18.4 per game through their first 56 outings. Maxey is the primary pick and roll ball handler for the 76ers, averaging 6.7 possessions per game. However, Harden is most likely to become the team’s new primary pick and roll ball-handler due to his experience with the role.</p>
<p>Harden has spent 29.7 percent of his possessions in this play type since 2015, averaging 8.1 per game. He has been efficient, shooting 46.9 percent on 5.2 shots per game. Harden has generated a significant amount of production as a pick and roll ball handler, averaging 7.9 points per game – 26.1 percent of his scoring output.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/james-harden-tyrese-maxey-regress/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Harden's potential impact on Maxey </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 12: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 12, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress: Harden’s potential impact on Maxey</h2>
<p>When Harden runs a pick and roll, most of his teammates stand behind the arc for floor spacing purposes. For example, during the 2016-17 season, Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, and Trevor Ariza took over 50 percent of their shots from behind the arc, averaging at least 6.9 per game. Therefore, Maxey is likely to spend most of his minutes with Harden on the court as a floor spacer.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Maxey does not have a good track record from behind the arc. He shot 29.2 percent from behind the arc during his lone collegiate season on 3.6 attempts per game. He struggled in his first season as a professional, shooting 30.1 percent on 3.5 attempts per game.</p>
<p>However, Maxey has elevated his three-point shooting percentage to 39.9 percent on 3.5 attempts per game this season. That being said, Maxey’s track record suggests his shooting should take a step back sooner rather than later despite the improvement.</p>
<p>Therefore, the 76ers should consider making Maxey Harden’s backup,thus increasing the likelihood that he will stay in the role of ball-handler, as opposed to being a floor-spacer. In conclusion, the arrival of Harden will cause Maxey to regress, but it will be through no fault of his own.</p>
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