Summer League isn’t necessarily about wins and losses but rather, it’s about developing young talent and giving NBA prospects a chance to shine. Tyrese Maxey said that coach Doc Rivers instructed him to work on running the offense during his time out in Las Vegas, as he told FortyEightMinutes and other media via zoom after the team’s 95-73 win over the Mavericks.
“Being able to get guys in the right spots…making the right passes,” Maxey said of what the coaching staff was looking for from him.
Maxey, who was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, didn’t get a chance to compete in Summer League last season, as the pandemic forced the NBA to cancel the event. However, during his 25-minute debut on Monday, the point guard looked like an established veteran out there, making 8-of-15 shots en route to a team-high 21 points.
Asked if he had advice for the rookies and other young players competing in Summer League, Maxey reiterated a sentiment that he seemingly spoke into existence during his rookie season: Get better every day.
“Off days aren’t off days. The option to shoot isn’t an option to shoot. You need to be there every single day and find a way to get yourself better,” Maxey explained.
The former Kentucky Wildcat added that he’s received advice from a handful of players on the team, including Matisse Thybulle, Danny Green and Ben Simmons, about ways to get better on the defensive end. For what it’s worth, Maxey says he still talks to Simmons “all the time.” There were conflicting reports on whether the former No. 1 overall pick still has communication with the Sixers.
