Sixers Buzz: NBA Skills coach Drew Hanlen has Big predictions for Joel Embiid & Tyrese Maxey this season

Steven Conrad Jr.
September 22, 2023
Sixers
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A Tradition Unlike Any Other: The NBA offseason is a time when players flood social media with workout and training videos, along with pickup game highlights while fans await the start of a new basketball season.

Here in Philly, we certainly are no strangers to this dynamic, from the countless off-season jump shot videos courtesy of Ben Simmons (pain) and Markelle Fultz, to Joel Embiid showcasing his elite talent, it’s typically a time of optimism and a welcomed escape from the previous season’s disappointment.

While the Sixers are going through yet another offseason filled with drama, there is reason to find hope in players like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

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Maxey and Embiid have been in the gym training with well-respected NBA skills trainer Drew Hanlen this offseason. Embiid, as we all know, will enter the 2023 as the reigning NBA MVP and back-to-back scoring champion. As for Maxey, coming off a 20+ PPG season where he shot 43.4% from three.

Hanlen has high expectations for both players this season and recently took to Twitter to answer questions from Sixers’ fans about the two beacons of “basketball hope” here in Philadelphia.

Drew Hanlen on Embiid and Maxey

Embiid: Playmaking & getting/making more easy baskets around the rim

If @TyreseMaxey doesn’t average 25ppg, I’m going to be disappointed https://t.co/ECmOIJ5JxV
— Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) September 16, 2023

Embiid becoming a better playmaker would undoubtedly make him and the team much better. It’s also an aspect of his game that would help him age better and take less physical punishment, which as we all know is important when the Sixers enter the playoffs.

So yeah, it’s hard to argue with Hanlen here. I wouldn’t rule Maxey out on averaging 25.0 points per game with our without The Beard playing in a Sixers uniform next season.

Dealing with this Harden mess in Philly over the past few months has definitely been frustrating. No one is doubting what he can offer the Sixers next season, but I would much rather hand Maxey the keys to the franchise and let him and Embiid take the reigns.