Trendon Watford and Tyrese Maxey won’t need to make so many long-distance calls now.
As Watford detailed Thursday at his first Sixers press conference, he’s grown close with Maxey over the years and gotten accustomed to facing him.
“We were at a high school camp together in I think 9th grade,” Watford said from the lobby of the Sixers’ training complex in Camden, New Jersey. “He claims that the group of guys I was with weren’t really talking to him because he wasn’t highly ranked yet or whatever. We locked in from that point on. My family knows his family. We ended up being roommates for I think the McDonald’s (All-American) Game.
“We ended up just kicking it off, man. I know his sister, his uncle, his brother, everybody in the family. … I was able to talk some trash to him when we got the win here last year … and (in Brooklyn). And now we’re teammates, so I’m excited.”
Watford did not take a straightforward route to his free-agent deal with the Sixers.
The 24-year-old forward played two seasons at LSU, went undrafted, joined the Trail Blazers and signed a two-way contract. He’s since established himself in the NBA and had his most productive season last year, averaging 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Nets.
“It’s extremely helpful,” Watford said of his relationship with Maxey. “I remember talking to him my second year in college, which was his rookie year. And just talking to him about some of the stuff he was dealing with, I already had a good idea of what I was coming into.
“Man, it’s great. We can’t believe it, honestly. We’re still in shock. He called me right before this and was like, ‘Man, I can’t believe you’re in Philly and going to go to the facility.’ It’s crazy. It’s crazy to be on the team right now.”
Watford’s calling card is versatility. He noted Thursday that he “came in as probably a small-ball five with Portland and sort of transitioned to playing backup point guard the last two years, point forward the last two years.”
According to Watford, his father is to thank for honing his passing and ball handling skills as a kid (and never allowing coaches to just stick him in the post). Older brother Christian Watford helped shape him in terms of toughness and willingness to talk trash.
“It’s always been a part of my game, man,” Watford said. “Growing up, having an older brother 10 years older than me that played in college (at Indiana) and professionally, it wasn’t easy. I had to get it, so I think that’s just what’s in me … being that guy that mixes it up and isn’t afraid to take it to wherever we’ve got to take it to.”
The Sixers obviously won’t mind that edge at all.
Like Maxey, they hope Watford keeps developing in Philadelphia.
“Just continuing to sharpen everything,” he said. “Continue to become better defensively. Even after having a solid defensive year, continue to become better. … I’m not trying to focus on just one thing, but continuing to sharpen my shooting, my passing, my IQ, watching film and just learning how to play off of these guys.”
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