An NBA tale about Michael, Kobe, The Answer ... and (make room for) Tyrese Maxey

76ers, Clippers, Pelicans, Mavericks, international expansion, John Wall, Jordan Poole and the Wizards and Kelly Oubre Jr. ... all covered in our latest around-the-league notes compilation

I was right there at the front of a long line of know-it-alls suggesting that the Philadelphia 76ers' grade on the James Harden trade would be TBD until we see what they acquire with the draft assets received from the LA Clippers.

Tyrese Maxey clearly has other plans.

The Sixers moved to 8-1 on Sunday night after Maxey rumbled for 50 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots in a victory over the free-scoring Indiana Pacers ... with Maxey becoming just the third guard or forward in league history to reach those totals in a single game.

The others, according to Basketball Reference, are Michael Jordan (in 1992) and Kobe Bryant (2003).

The Sixers could easily be 9-0 — they lost narrowly at Milwaukee on Opening Night — and Joel Embiid merely happens to be averaging 32.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game as a follow-up to his first MVP season. Philly will eventually make that significant trade, too, with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey spelling out what he's looking for during a recent appearance on the Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast.