PHILADELPHIA The bad memory of the 2024 25 season has started to fade out in Sixers territory. As the trail of lost opportunities is washing away, one voice remains sounding: Tyrese Maxey. Maxey stated, in an earnest moment recorded with Bleacher Report, that, “We are in the place where we can be dangerous,” spilling out not only aspiration but conviction.
Rekindling Hope to A Wrecked Season
The previous season was a cruel education lesson in what can prevent excellence, that is, health. The will-it-change-our-destiny-for-good hype around the Big Three of Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey totalled only 619 shared possessions, a paltry number by championship standards. Embiid had only 19 games, George also missed much duration, and Maxey himself had only 52 games, cut short in part to give Maxey better chances at the draft.
But there was a star coming to the surface of the rubble. Averaging a then-career-high 26.3 points per game and 6.1 assists, despite the team crumbling to 24248, Maxey put together one of his best seasons.
Maxey’s Rallying Cry: Trust in Process, Trust in Health
In the interview with the Bleacher Report, Maxey touched upon the main attributes defining the success of turnarounds: health, cohesion, and personal development.
We must be very healthy, very together, and find a way to be even better not only as a team, but individually as well. I will do what I can, and we will be more successful this season.”
He played up being a winner:
I believe in winning. All my life, I have won, so that is what we are getting back to.”
This is not mere talk. Upgrade, of course, from the trajectory which Maxey is attempting to prove himself: Most Improved Player in 2023 24, first All-Star, and a contract extension which ensures that he is a foundation block of the franchise.
Why “Dangerous” Feels Right for This Moment
Two key factors amplify why Maxey’s tone resonates deeply:
- Eastern Conference is Weaker on Paper
Maxey pointed to injuries to stars on rival teams, Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, and roster shake-ups that have left pecking order gaps among teams like the Pacers, Celtics, and Bucks. If the Sixers can stay healthy, they could emerge as a dark horse. - Youthful Chemistry and a Rising Core
Maxey isn’t alone. Rookie V.J. Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick, brings energy, athleticism, and two-way promise. Pairing with maxed-out veterans like Embiid and George, if they hold their form, could yield dynamic lineups that leverage spacing and versatility.
A Human Story Beyond Xs and Os
The narrative isn’t just about stats, it’s about resilience.
Imagine the toll on Maxey: new All-Star status, soaring expectations, then a crumbling season. Yet he doesn’t spin blame, he doubles down. He wants not just to talk, but to prove.
In Maxey’s framing, winning doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s earned through daily grind and trust. He’s reminding his city: Philly doesn’t admire moral victories, but they respect heart and accountability.
Contextualizing Maxey in History
New young guards in leadership during a rocky season in a team is not novel. Consider:
Allen Iverson, on his part, had a franchise on his shoulders and turned it into a Finals team despite the instability of the rosters.
Russell Westbrook, who had an emotional burden of going through the turbulent periods along with his team, OKC, after Durant.
Maxey does not seem to be a victim of the leadership; he is enjoying it. His development also reflects a trend in the NBA: guards as cultural and even strategic anchors, and not necessarily playmakers.
Next Time to Watch
Health Checkpoints: Monitor the recovery of Embiid and George’s surgery. Their availability is essential to the vision hosting by Maxey.
Impact of Edgecombe: Will the rookie live up to the hype? His versatility and ability to space the defense may be determined by his integration.
Team Chemistry: Will this Frankenstein lineup come together as greater than the sum of its parts?
Final Reflection
Tyrese Maxey is not saying bounce-back; he is willfully fanning the flames. The essence of the city of Philadelphia boils down to his bold line, We can be dangerous, both in his ability to be tough, hardworking, and never satiated.
All that stands between the Sixers and the road to the title is a slim margin, and, should health allow the team to keep up its diligent work, there is a real likelihood that Philadelphia not only might become the next underdog on the way to the trophy, but win it.
