Averaged 35.2 points per game! Peak Harden was born. If you keep playing like this, Embiid might consider retiring.

The NBA Cup group stage battle is in full swing. The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Celtics at home by one point, 108-109. Embiid's buzzer beater timed out, but the Green Army was still suppressed by blood. Of course, although the 76ers lost, it was an honor to lose. The shining performances of Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe allowed fans to see the hope of the 76ers in the future. Although Embiid is getting more and more brittle and his body may not be able to hold on for long, Paul George will stop playing after receiving his maximum salary and recuperate from injuries every day. But the 4 wins and 1 loss of this remnant team of 76ers is really surprising, and they fought with the Green Army until the last minute. Maxey's nearly triple-double comprehensive data and VJ's efficient output are enough to make Philadelphia fans full of expectations for the future.

In this game, Maxi played almost the entire game. He played 44 minutes, made 8 of 16 shots, scored 26 points, 8 rebounds, 14 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, and was only 2 rebounds short of a triple-double. On the offensive end, he organized calmly and tore apart the Celtics' defense many times; on the defensive end, he sent 2 blocks and 2 steals, showing his comprehensiveness and aggressiveness. Although the comeback failed at the last minute, Maxi's performance was impeccable.

What is even more shocking is Maxi's hot start to the season. According to statistics, in the first five games, Maxi averaged 35.2 points per game, ranking among the top in the league. The last time a player scored more than this number in the first five games of the season was back in the 2019-20 season when Harden was at his peak (36.6 points per game). As a 24-year-old guard who is about to turn 25, Maxi's explosive power, scoring stability and organizational skills have already made him one of the league's top point guards.

Embiid has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, his attendance rate has continued to decline, his physical condition has become more "brittle as glass", and there are even rumors that he is at risk of retiring from time to time. It is in this context that Maxi's rise is particularly precious. If he can maintain his current level, the core of the 76ers' team building will seamlessly transition from Embiid to Maxey, which is not a far-fetched fantasy.

And the law of finding flowers reappears: VJ-Edgecomb leads the rookie list. In this game against the Celtics, he played 40 minutes, made 7 of 11 shots, and efficiently contributed 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. His plus-minus value ranked among the top of the team. However, after Embiid returned, he had less shot rights. The Celtics won without Embiid last time. This is VJ's ability. As a rookie, he has no stage fright when facing a championship-level defender like Jaylen Brown, and has bright spots on both offense and defense.

According to statistics from US media PolyMarket Hoops, VJ averaged 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals in the first five games of this season, with a true shooting percentage of 61%. VJ's comprehensiveness is amazing - efficient scoring, accurate passing, active defense, and stable shooting. The backcourt combination between him and Maxi has begun to take shape. What’s even more coincidental is that the 76ers seem to have a “No. 3 pick”: Embiid, as the No. 3 pick in 2014, led the 76ers from being a loser to competing for the championship; now, VJ, as the No. 3 pick in 2025, has risen strongly at the point when Embiid is getting older, and history seems to be repeating itself.

The current 76ers have a luxurious lineup but are full of problems. The two eldest brothers, Embiid and George, are constantly injured but their maximum salary has tied up the team's space. Their salary is squeezed by high-paid veterans, and their flexibility is extremely poor. If the management is determined to rebuild, it should think about trading Embiid and George in advance and completely build the team around Maxey and VJ. This may be a longer-term strategy.

Imagine this:

• As the core No. 1 position, Maxi has the potential to average 30+10 per game;

• As the core No. 2 position, VJ averaged 20+5+5 per game in his rookie year, with huge room for growth;

• Clear out high-paid veterans in exchange for draft picks and youthful combat power;

• Preserve depth and develop chemistry.

This "double prospect" backcourt combination is excellent in offense and defense, almost the same age, and has complementary styles. It is fully capable of becoming the next "Curry + Thompson" or "Lillard + McCollum". If the 76ers can make a decisive transformation, it will not be a fantasy to return to the top team in the Eastern Conference within five years.

The 108-109 defeat had no impact on the 76ers. Maxey's historic start proved that he was ready to take over; VJ's third-ranked player continued the magic of Philadelphia's "ranked third-ranked player." Embiid's era may be coming to an end, but the era of Maxey and VJ is quietly beginning. When the 76ers say goodbye to "Embiid dependence" and embrace the youth storm, the next golden era of Philadelphia basketball may not be far away.