BOSTON -- The Philadelphia 76ers are three games into the 4-game preseason schedule as they continue preparation for the upcoming 82-game grind. The Sixers are looking to contend for a championship with the big additions made to the roster, but they also need to consider the development of rookie Labaron Philon Jr.
Philon has flashed a lot of potential in the preseason thus far with his tight handle, ability to knock down tough shots, and get into the paint in a flash. The rookie has had some ups and downs, but that is to be expected for a player so youg.
Luckily for Philon, he has somebody like 2-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey on his side.
"He’s played great, man," Maxey said of Philon. "He’s shooting the ball when we need him to shoot the ball. He’s done
a good job of getting to the paint. And I think the biggest thing is we trust him. We trust him to make plays, so that’s good."
Philon, 20, will continue to lean on the backcourt duo of Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to give him advice and pick him up when things aren't going his way. He has a ton of speed and shiftiness to get into the paint and make things happen for this group on the offensive end. As time moves on, Maxey will continue to be in his ear and give him any advice on what he sees out there. That's what a leader does, and Maxey will help Philon adjust at this early stage of his career.
"He plays with an unbelievably great pace, and I’ve just been telling him, like, pick your spots, man," Maxey added. "Us as smaller guards, he has to find the way to--when he gets into the paint, not let the defense totally collapse on him, because it gets tight in there, you know what I’m saying? For him to be able to get to his spots early, get to his floater and different things like that. But he’s been great, man. I’m happy for him."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 76ers star Tyrese Maxey assesses the play of rookie Labaron Philon Jr.
