Maxey taking a shot at proving doubters wrong
In his one season at the University of Kentucky, Tyrese Maxey attempted 113 three-point shots. Eighty either kicked off the front of the rim, or the back, or the backboard, or all three before beginning a descent toward a waiting rebounder.
It can happen, college basketball being a short season, 2019-20 being shorter than most. And Kentucky did win 25 games, 15 in the SEC, an indication that whatever Maxey and the Wildcats were asked to do, they were teaming to do successfully.
It’s just that the Sixers made Maxey the 21st overall pick in the Wednesday draft and characterized him as the kind of shooter that will help create space for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. They touted his defense, attitude and versatility, too. But they like him as a shooter.
At 29.2 percent from behind the shorter college arc?
Does that army of analytic brainiacs in Camden know about that?
“Ever since the season ended,” Maxey said Thursday. “I wanted to show people that I am a way better shooter than what my numbers said.”
Kentucky recruited him for a reason, and then let him shoot. And he was a 49.2-percent shooter from two-point range, presumably mixing in more than layups and dunks.
“We are excited to have such a blue-chip prospect, a top 10 in high school,” Sixers president Daryl Morey said. “I like guards who can guard multiple positions. And he can do that. Doc Rivers really wants to get him out in transition, and he has a history of that.
“People have sort of fixated on his shooting but the reality is we do a lot of things. We look at mechanics. We look at other measurables to see how they’ll shoot in the pros. And we strongly believe Tyrese will shoot better than the number that sticks next to his name.”
Maxey believes that, too, though he knows that will not come without sweat.
“I work out at 6 a.m.,” he said. “I go lift at 8 a.m. and I am back in the gym by 10 a.m., then sometimes come back later in the day. I want to show everybody that I can knock down those threes, and I feel that I am a way better shooter than my numbers show.”
According to Maxey, he is not satisfied until he makes at least 750 shots at his morning practice, though he didn’t mention how many attempts that would require.
“It’s been a great process,” he said. “I am trying to set my own record, making consecutive shots. So you can see that build up. I made 20 one day, 25 the next day. The highest I have now is 36. You keep doing it and doing it until you get that confidence to where I have it now. If I am open, I feel I can knock it down. I have no doubt in my mind.”
Oddly, Maxey shot an impressive 37.5 percent from distance in Kentucky road games, yet just 26.6 percent at home. Pressed for an explanation, he guessed it may have been because Kentucky rarely practices in Rupp Arena. Then again, the Wildcats don’t practice in road arenas, either.
One guess: Thirty-one college games are insufficient to declare a player either capable or incapable of being a successful NBA three-point threat.
“We are optimistic on his shooting,” Morey said. “His overall package outside of that makes him the kind of guy you would get in the lottery. And picking him up at 21, at a position we need, we are excited about that.”
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The Sixers made Paul Reed the 58th overall pick. He was expected to go higher. The big man from DePaul promises to show why.
“A chip on my shoulder?” he said, responding to a question. “Yeah. I feel I have a way big chip on my shoulder. Now I feel like every team that passed up on me will regret that decision.”
With Al Horford rolling to Oklahoma City, Kyle O’Quinn unsigned and Norvel Pelle expected to be waived before his contract becomes guaranteed Friday, the Sixers have something of an opening for a fourfive blend.
The 6-9 Reed averaged 10.7 rebounds for the Blue Demons last season and is said to have rim-to-rim willingness and speed, not unlike Embiid.
That would fit nicely with the style the Sixers have planned for Simmons.
“I think that’s my game, running the floor like a deer, up and down, up and down, up and down,” Reed said. “Up tempo. That’s my game.”
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Unlike Maxey, secondround pick Isaiah Joe did not struggle to make three-point shots in the SEC. Joe displayed a classic form to shoot 41.4 percent as a freshman at Arkansas and 34.2 percent as a soph.
With the Sixers unable to successfully replace JJ Redick last season, toss Joe into the mix with Danny Green, Seth Curry and Maxey in the search for help.
“I feel the Sixers really stressed the need for shooters,” Joe said. “That’s why they picked me at 49. They really value my skill set. I’ll be able to stretch the floor with my shooting ability.
“Ben Simmons is a willing passer and is very capable at it. I am there for any kick-outs he needs. That kind of opens up the lane for Joel Embiid.”
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The Sixers formally announced the second of their two Draft Night trades.
A 44.3 career three-point shooter, Seth Curry arrives from Dallas for Josh Richardson and Colorado swingman Tyler Bey, the 36th overall draft selection Wednesday.