Tyrese Maxey and James Harden have been excellent on the court as of Philly’s Game 5 victory, but just as important has been the dynamic duo’s work off of the court. Maxey and Harden are two of ten nominees for the 2022-2023 Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, an award that is presented yearly as a way to recognize players for their community engagement, philanthropic activity, and charity work. Since each player came to Philadelphia, charity work and community engagement have been something that they clearly care about.
Tyrese Maxey
While this is the first time that Tyrese Maxey has been nominated for the yearly award, the former Kentucky Wildcat was in fact awarded the NBA's Community Cares Assist Award for November 2022. This came after Maxey, days after fracturing his left foot, donated 300 turkey dinner meals to families in West Philadelphia to ensure that the families could have a Thanksgiving dinner. On top of that, Maxey also hosted three free camps this summer across the United States. He hosted one in Garland, Texas, one in Lexington Kentucky, and one in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia 76ers' James Harden (1) reacts after scoring past Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) during overtime of Game 4 in an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Philadelphia.AP Photo/Matt SlocumJames Harden
Sixers superstar point guard James Harden is also being nominated for the award, for his and his foundation's work for Operation Holiday Help, where multiple families were each gifted $2,000 in rent assistance and $1,000 towards groceries and other needs. Beyond just Philadelphia, Harden also continuously donates his time and his money across the country, mostly in Houston, where he volunteered at a food bank. Through his foundation, Impact 13, Harden has been able to supply thousands of meals across the country, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
Also being nominated is Keita bates-Diop of the San Antonio Spurs, Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls, Pat Connaughton of the Milwaukee Bucks, Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks, Cameron Payne of the Phoenix Suns, Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks, Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, and Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics.
It is obvious to anyone paying attention that Maxey is one of the most generous players in the NBA and even if he doesn't win the award, the impact that fans across the country are feeling from Tyrese Maxey, along with all of the other nominees, is what truly makes the NBA the greatest sports league in the world.
Each of the players listed above deserves to be recognized and given respect for their ability to rise above the sport of basketball and help people. Fan voting is open through Sunday, May 21.
