Lakers legend LeBron James recently had high praise for Tyrese Maxey following the Sixers’ 44-point win over Los Angeles.
With James Harden out, Tyrese Maxey has blossomed into a star for the Philadelphia 76ers. Maxey, who is in the fourth and final year of his contract with the Sixers, will see a significant raise next offseason.
While a new contract is great, Maxey’s focus is on helping the Sixers compete for a championship and possibly win a championship. To achieve this goal, the 76ers recently defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 138-94 to move to 12-5 on the season. The Lakers and superstar LeBron James had nothing to do against Maxey in this game. The young 76ers guard scored a game-high 31 points on 5 of 12 three-pointers.
“I mean, the numbers, everything speaks for itself. He’s also a very good basketball guy,” Maxey said of LeBron after the Sixers’ win on Monday night. “I feel like his work ethic hasn’t slowed down in grade 21, and that’s the crazy part to me.”
Maxey is discussing James’ impact on him as the two worked out together in the offseason. James appeared to have heard or stumbled upon Maxey’s postgame remarks, to which LeBron recently responded on Instagram.
“Love this guy! The work never lies, that’s why he’s so great! More importantly, he’s a better person but also crazy,” James wrote on his Instagram Story.
“Love this guy! The work never lies, that’s why he’s so great!! More importantly, he’s a better person, but crazy!!”
LeBron James sends flowers to Tyrese Maxey 💐
(pass @KingJames /IG)pic.twitter.com/2ZvfQRotbw
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 29, 2023
Maxey’s emergence has brought the 76ers back to the Eastern Conference championship. In 17 games, the former first-round pick averaged 26.6 points, 6.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 40.3% from three-point range. Maxey currently ranks 10th in scoring and sixth in three-pointers made.
Maxey’s comments about James are sure to excite Philadelphia fans even more than they already are, especially considering the Sixers’ recent good form. The 76ers are once again at the top of the Eastern Conference, and they hope the partnership of Embiid and Maxey can make it to the All-Star Game.
As for Tyrese Maxey, his dream season continues as he looks to score another 30 points on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.