Tyrese Maxey made his feelings known about his new role with the Sixers amid Joel Embiid’s absences: “I was upset early in the year”

Tyrese Maxey is stepping up as a leader for the Philadelphia 76ers with extended responsibilities both on and off the court. With Joel Embiidout of the lineup, Maxey had to embrace the challenge of filling the void left by the reigning MVP. The dynamic guard has taken on more responsibility, guiding his team through critical moments and leading by example. Maxey recently shared his feelings about his new role in the franchise as Embiid is still out due to his lingering injury.

Tyrese Maxey has stepped into a leadership role for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2024-25 season, particularly with Joel Embiid frequently sidelined. The team’s struggles with consistency in Embiid’s absence were visible which propelled Maxey into the spotlight as both a playmaker and a motivator. Maxey has seemingly absorbed the pressure as the Sixers hover outside the Eastern Conference playoff race.
He has to do two jobs at once— stabilize the team while elevating his game. Reflecting on his expanded responsibilities, the young guard acknowledged the challenges but revealed that he intended to keep the 76ers competitive. “You just have to embrace that,” Maxey said in a recent interview (via ClutchPoints).
“Honestly, it's a respect thing. I was upset early in the year, getting double-teamed, and getting blitzed off pick-and-rolls. I had good conversations with Joel (Embiid) and Kyle (Lowry) — it's a respect thing. They feel they're going to blitz you off pick-and-rolls, they're going to put two guards on you,” the 24-year-old guard continued.
Certainly, Maxey has been under a lot of pressure as the team is looking to make their stance impressive but it was quite difficult with the Olympic gold medalist’s frequent absence. Embiid’s knee injury has severely impacted the Philadelphia 76ers, limiting him to just 13 games this season. Without their star center, the team has struggled to stay competitive, posting a disappointing 10-21 record. When the 30-year-old is on the floor, the Sixers have been noticeably better, going 7-6. His absence has left a major void on both ends of the court, making it difficult for Philadelphia to find consistency. Certainly, All-Star Paul George has eased some of the burden from Maxey’s shoulders but again, his responsibility for the team is still crucial.
“Your job now is get your teammates a good shot, get your teammates a good look, make the game easier for them,” Maxey said. Speaking of his new role in the team he added, “That's what I've been trying to do.”
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As the season progresses, the team and fans are expecting Embiid’s return. As per new reports, Embiid has reportedly been practicing but he’s still ruled out for two more games.