76ers’ Maxey: This Year’s Playoffs Are ‘Title or Bust’ for Philadelphia

Tyrese Maxey knows Philadelphia has its work cut out for it.

For 40 years now, the 76ers have been waiting on a championship. They've watched the Eagles and Phillies end lengthy title droughts, and a parade of NBA teams hoist the crown as the league's popularity has exploded.

Philadelphia has put quality teams on the court for the last six years, but none of those squads have advanced past the Eastern Conference semifinals. 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is bent on changing that.

“Title or bust,” Maxey said on his podcast, Maxey on the Mic. “I think it is title or bust for us, honestly. With the talent that we have on this team — the talent that we have, the camaraderie that we have, the timetable that we have — we want to win now."

Maxey, picked 21st by Philadelphia in the 2020 draft, has proven a fortuitous late-first-round find in his three seasons with the team. He established a new career high this season with 20.3 points per game, and his career three-point field-goal percentage of 41.4% ranks 21st in NBA history.

"(Center Joel Embiid and guard James Harden) are both hungry for their first title... We’re putting the pressure on ourselves," Maxey said. "There’s other teams that’s gonna put the pressure on themselves. It’s a toss-up. Who wants it more? We’re gonna go out there and fight our tails off and put our best effort into the situation.”

The 76ers will begin their quest for that elusive trophy Saturday afternoon against the Nets in the first round.