Tyrese Maxey is coming off an All-NBA Third Team season at just 25 years old, but with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia, his “1 percent better” mantra is about to get tested big time. Maxey isn’t backing down either. He recently sat down with HoopsHype, and what he had to say heading into the 2026-27 NBA season should have Sixers fans buzzing.
Maxey’s Not Just Scoring, He’s Leading
When asked what he wanted to prove, Maxey didn’t hesitate: leadership, playmaking, and defense. That’s a triple threat right there. He’s talking about being “good defensively,” causing “a lot of havoc,” making “disruptions,” blocking shots, getting steals, and holding his own one-on-one. And on leadership? He’s trying to become a better leader every single day, trying to encourage his teammates. That shift from this being “Joel Embiid’s team” to becoming Maxey’s team was real the last couple of years, largely because he stepped up and filled that leadership vacuum. Now, with two more high-profile guys entering the fold, that leadership will be more important than ever. On playmaking, he knows he draws a ton of attention, and it’s all about getting into the paint to create plays and shots for everyone. This dude isn’t just a scorer, he’s evolving into a complete force.
LeBron Is Here, But Maxey’s Still Maxey
Okay, so you got LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in town. That’s a massive deal, and it comes with massive expectations. Remember when VJ Edgecombe called Maxey out for not knowing about the LeBron signing beforehand? Maxey just laughed it off, responding with “I love you so much and I’ll talk to you probably later on today. So just know that I love you, kid. And sometimes what you don’t know won’t hurt you.” That’s classic Maxey, right there: personality shining through even when he’s caught in a playful “lie.” And as for feeling pressure with all these moves? He’s not feeling it. He puts the pressure on himself because he works “really, really, really, really, really, really hard.” You gotta love that kind of dedication. The vibes are high, and the focus is clearly on the work.
Maxey’s ‘1 percent better’ mindset, his clear goals for leadership and defense, and his total calm under pressure set up the 2026-27 NBA season for the Sixers to be absolutely lit. With this kid driving the engine, anything feels possible. Get ready to watch him back up that hard work when the season tips off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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