Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress

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PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 20: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers works towards the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on November 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon, Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

There is a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the role of Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey with the arrival of James Harden. A reporter asked Maxey whether he knew how his role would change with the acquisition of Harden. He stated that he had no idea.

Although Maxey doesn’t have an idea, the arrival of James Harden will likely cause him to take a step back as a player. Maxey has been most efficient with the ball in his hands throughout his basketball journey.

Why James Harden will cause Tyrese Maxey to regress: Maxey’s skillset

Maxey averaged 0.98 points per possession as a pick and roll ball handler at the University of Kentucky. His pick and roll statistics were good enough to put him in the 86th percentile among all college players who ran a pick and roll.

The young guard was able to pair his pick and roll skillset with transition success, as he averaged 1.24 points per possession as a Kentucky Wildcat, which put him in the 84th percentile among all college players.

Maxey has been able to transfer those skill sets into the NBA. He has spent 43.8 percent of his possessions as a pick and roll ball handler during his time in the NBA, averaging 5.2 per game. He has shot 47.5 percent from the field on 4.5 shots per game and has generated 5.1 points per game – 42.5 percent of his scoring output.

Pick and roll isn’t the only skillset he has been able to transfer into his NBA career, as he has also been successful in transition. Transition accounts for 15.5 percent of Maxey’s total possessions, averaging 1.8 per game. Maxey has shot 55.4 percent from the field on 1.5 shots per game, generating 2.3 points – 19.2 percent of his total scoring output.