Tyrese Maxey talks about the biggest benefits when playing with Joel Embiid: “You get so open sometimes that it feels like it's wrong”

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has been teammates with former MVP Joel Embiid since 2020, so it's safe to say he's seen his fair share of dominant performances from the big man. According to Maxey, playing alongside Embiid has been a dream come true.

In an interview with his new teammate, Paul George, on the latter's podcast, Maxey opened up about what it's like sharing the court with his All-Star teammate, and he couldn't help but gush over how much easier "The Process" makes things for him.

So much space to work with

Embiid is a 7-foot monster with a massive wingspan who can dominate the game in many ways. Whether working in the low post, operating at the keyhole, or facing up on the perimeter, Embiid makes life miserable for opposing defenders. That's made it much easier for Maxey to find open lanes and create space for himself on the floor.

"One of the first conversations I had with PG, he was asking about playing alongside Joel Embiid. I told him, 'For me, as a guy who creates his own shot and does things off the dribble, when Joel's on the court, you so open sometimes that it feels like it's wrong,'" the 2024 Most Improved Player said on "Podcast P."

Defenses face a strategic dilemma with Embiid: double-team him and risk leaving other shooters open, or try to contain him one-on-one and potentially get burned. With PG on board, creating a new "Big 3" in the East, Maxey said the 6-foot-9 wingman will be surprised at how open he will be on some possessions.

"PG shoots 41% from three, so when he's playing with Joel, who gets trapped and triple-teamed, P is going to find himself wide open. I was telling him, 'There will be times next year during training camp where you'll catch the ball and think, 'Why am I so open?' It's not right because Joel is so dominant. If they don't send another body at him, he'll score almost every possession," Tyrese emphasized.

A willing passer

There are plenty of superstars who can get buckets on a whim. While Joel is undoubtedly one of those players, his willingness to share the ball has set him apart from his peers. Over the last three seasons, the seven-time All-Star has averaged 4.5 assists per game, culminating in a career-high 5.6 last season.

In addition, Maxey emphasized that Embiid has steadily developed his leadership skills to help elevate his teammates' games.

"Joel has grown so much as a player and a leader since I've been there. He's much more vocal and involved with the team. He knows the guys, and that's a big deal. When your best player and franchise player is connected, it elevates the whole team," Maxey shared.

As much as PG and Tyrese will contribute to the Sixers' success, it's clear that Embiid is still the driving force behind their championship aspirations. His combination of size, skill, and smarts makes him a unique threat on both ends of the floor. With his newfound leadership abilities, he has become a dominant player and a true leader for his team.

Related: "My first year he didn’t talk to anyone, now it’s great leadership" - Tyrese Maxey is impressed with Joel Embiid’s growth as a leader