The NBA playoffs first-round showdowns are in full swing. In these duels, there are unexpected one-sided ones, and there are also indistinguishable victories and losses. For players, the playoffs are not only a stage for the stars, but also an opportunity for the little people to show their self-worth. There are stars who suddenly go haywire in the playoffs, and there are ordinary players who suddenly shine in the playoffs.
In the first round of the playoffs, there is a young player who is only 21 years old, in three playoff games, he can average 26.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 60% from the field, 47.4% from three-point range, hitting 3 three-pointers per game, and his plus-minus is as high as +16.7, which is extremely outstanding, and his team has led the opponent 3-0. If you look at the data alone, you might even think that this is a performance played by a superstar, but you don't think that this is a 21-year-old second-year player playing. Even last season, the youngster was just an obscure substitute.
This player is the 76ers' Maxi. As the 21st pick in 2020, I believe that most fans never thought that this player had such a big energy hidden in his body. In three playoff games against the Toronto Raptors, he has become the team's number two scorer, averaging 42 minutes per game. The reason why Maxi was able to play such a brilliant performance, in addition to his own efforts, is more or less thanks to Simmons' farce.
As the saying goes, the east corner is lost, and the mulberry elm is harvested. Last offseason, Simmons has been making a fuss about leaving the team, and even until the regular season, he chose not to play, and the 76ers had no choice. Faced with this situation, Rivers can only choose to dig in the team. I just didn't expect that I dug up the treasure. Last season, Maxi averaged just 8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2 assists per game, shooting 46.2% from the field and only 30.1% from three-point range, not even being selected for the rookie lineup, but he seized the opportunity. In the regular season this season, Maxie averaged 17.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, shooting 48.5% from the field and shooting 42.7% from three-point range, and the overall data was greatly improved compared to last season, and he had the potential to become an All-Star player. Even if the 76ers later exchanged Simmons for Harden, Maxi's position on the team has not changed. Chances are reserved for those who are prepared, and Maxi's three-pointer last season was arguably unstable, but this season he has become a first-class three-point shooter, and his efforts in the offseason are visible to the naked eye. Compared to the failure to practice shooting Simmons for several seasons, Maxi is more energetic.
As a second-year player, the playoffs are his real test. Against the Raptors, who have the league's top flanking defense, many people are not even optimistic that he can continue his regular season performance. Unexpectedly, Maxi became a blockbuster and played an extraordinary performance. At this level of performance, even Simmons may not be able to play.
The 76ers gained a big general because of Simmons's farce, which can really be said to be the harvest. If Maxi can maintain this level of play in the following playoffs, the 76ers may really be able to hit the championship this season.