Tyrese Maxey’s Scoring Surge Is Drawing Blitzes - And Dominick Barlow Is Stepping Up in a Big Way
PHILADELPHIA - When a player starts torching defenses the way Tyrese Maxey has this season, opposing teams don’t just take notice - they throw everything they’ve got at him. Blitzes, traps, double teams - you name it. And with Maxey averaging 32.3 points per game while hitting nearly 40% from deep, it’s no surprise defenses are scrambling to slow him down.
But here’s the thing: Maxey isn’t going at it alone.
Enter Dominick Barlow - a name that might not jump off the page yet, but one that’s becoming increasingly important to how the Sixers navigate the pressure defenses are throwing at their star guard. Barlow’s role in Philly’s offense is quietly evolving into a key release valve when defenses zero in on Maxey.
When teams blitz Maxey - which is happening more and more - Barlow’s ability to read the floor and make plays in those 4-on-3 situations becomes crucial. He’s not just standing in the dunker spot hoping for a lob.
He’s rolling, catching, and then making decisions - whether that’s finishing at the rim or kicking it out to an open shooter. That kind of quick processing is gold in today’s NBA.
“Just understanding that he's gonna see more blitzes,” Barlow said. “He's averaging 35 a game.
So teams are going to be antsy to blitz early to make us beat them. I take pride in making the decisions out of that and playing 4-on-3.
There's always going to be a guy open, so the quicker I can locate that, or the quicker if I'm the open guy, being able to attack the rim is going to help us.”
That’s not just a role player doing his job - that’s a young forward embracing the nuances of modern NBA offense. Barlow’s not only giving Maxey a pressure outlet - he’s actively helping the Sixers punish teams for overcommitting.
And it doesn’t stop with the pick-and-roll game. Barlow’s also become an intriguing weapon in the dribble handoff (DHO) game.
He’s got the feel and footwork to fake a handoff, read the defense, and drive himself - something that adds a layer of unpredictability to Philly’s sets. When he senses a mismatch or a defensive gap, he’s not afraid to put the ball on the floor and go.
“Like, spacing for sure,” Barlow said of his DHO reads. “I mean, if there's a gap, try to punch it, but sometimes it's matchup-based.
If I feel like I can drive and get a shoulder bump and be able to attack and still get to the rim. I’ll take that too.
So it's kind of just a feel thing.”
That "feel" is what makes Barlow’s contributions so valuable. He’s not being asked to carry the offense, but he’s proving he can keep it flowing when the defense forces the ball out of Maxey’s hands. And in a league where depth and decision-making often separate contenders from pretenders, having a player like Barlow who can operate in the margins is a big deal.
As the season wears on and Maxey continues to draw more defensive attention, expect Barlow’s role to grow even more. The Sixers don’t just need bodies - they need smart, skilled players who can make the right plays in high-pressure moments. So far, Barlow’s showing he’s ready for that challenge.
And if he keeps making the right reads and finishing plays, he won’t be flying under the radar for much longer.