The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a historic start this season. They are largely fueled by the dynamic backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. In a recent game against the Orlando Magic, Maxey scored a remarkable 43 points and provided eight assists, while Edgecombe contributed with 26 points and seven assists. Together, their efforts lifted the 76ers to a 136-124 win, the team’s third-straight win of the season.
Maxey and Edgecombe are taking the country by storm with a jaw-dropping seven touchdowns and 182 points scored in their first three games. It’s a new record for the most points scored by any starting backcourt since the 1970-71 when such data started being tracked. This historic achievement is testament to their dominating advancement on the court. It represents a bright opening act for the entirety of the franchise following a disappointing 24-58 campaign a season ago.
Tyrese Maxey has quickly become a team leader for the 76ers and the value of playing for one another shines through in his game as well. “I think I’m at the point in my career where I want us to be really good as a team,” he stated. His commitment to winning is evident, as he expressed his desire to contribute to the team’s success: “I want us to win … I want us to win so bad every single game, and I want to do whatever I can to help my team do that.”
Edgecombe, in his early season performances, has made a big impression. He’s not just dropping dimes on others, he’s currently scoring an average of 25 points per game. His shooting is ridiculous, at 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. His confidence is palpable as he noted, “I got confidence in myself and I got confidence in my work and I trust the people that I work with within the team.”
76ers head coach and reigning NBA champion, Nick Nurse, credited his players for doing the hard work and putting the effort in. “Yeah, I mean obviously the guys are playing extremely hard and again, we needed every bit of everybody that hit the floor,” he said. Nurse highlighted the overall team effort, asserting, “You look down [at the box score] and you say, ‘Who didn’t help us tonight?’” His focus on collaboration is a reflection of the changing culture within the organization.
The 76ers are operating at a breakneck speed this year, using their young guards to fuel their increased pace to create their halfcourt offensive identity. It’s a strategy that has reinvigorated their fanbase and roster of players. It’s a great respite for what they had to endure last season. Even this time last year, it took the team 15 games to earn their third win. This season, they got there in only three games!
They look forward to their upcoming battle with the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. Like any winning team, the team’s top priority is keeping that winning streak rolling. The team is looking forward to extending their home winning streak and ensuring their chances of finishing the season atop the league table.
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