CAMDEN, N.J. -- As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward into the preseason and looking to prepare for the challenges they will inevitably face, the goal is to build chemistry and cohesion to help get everything going on an upward trajectory for a championship.
However, for somebody like second-year guard Caleb Love, he is here on a two-way deal and looking to establish himself in the league. The undrafted guard out of Arizona averaged 10.4 points and 2.5 assists in 49 games as a rookie for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2025-26 and is now looking to make things happen in Philadelphia.
Luckily for him, he has stars like Tyrese Maxey, who he has known for quite some time now, who he can lean on.
"I've been knowing Tyrese since I was probably 16, 17
in high school," Love smiled. "So, just watching his journey, watching his path, it's been great to see. He's turned out to be an amazing player, one of the best in the league, and I just been picking up on his change of speeds and how poised he is when he comes off ball screens or, he never gets really rattled by anybody. And that's kind of like the only person that I haven't figured out how to guard yet."
When asked if Maxey has changed at all since the two met back in high school, Love confirmed that the 2-time All-Star is the exact same. He hasn't changed a bit and is still the same guy who is generally always happy, loves to smile, and be a positive impact on people.
"I mean, he's kind of like the same," Love beamed. "He's always energetic, high spirits. He's athletic, and he can shoot the ball with the best of them, but his change of speeds and how fast he is, getting downhill – that's something that I'm learning."
Love played well in the preseason opener as he hopped off the bench and had 15 points, six assists, and didn't turn the ball over. He shot 3-for-6 from deep and was able to give Philadelphia a big spark. It was impressive to see him play so smoothly out there and find his niche rather quickly.
"I think just being myself, but staying within the team, concepts and things like that," Love explained. "So, playing off my teammates, moving with the ball, getting my teammates open, and then just being a dog on defense. I think that's what's going to get me on the court and what's going to keep me on the court is obviously making shots and getting my teammates involved. I was just playing within myself and not trying to do too much."
The Sixers will face the Brooklyn Nets on the road on Thursday to continue the preseason schedule.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers two-way guard Caleb Love discusses Tyrese Maxey, work in camp
