Touting a 9-17 record as of writing, it is pretty obvious that the Philadelphia 76ers have been the biggest disappointment in the NBA this season. Early season prognostications had the franchise slated for an overdue glory, but instead, what had transpired is a failure of the grandest proportions, though there is still a lot of time for them to cover ground and make up for the deficit in the standings.
Front and center in their terrible start to the campaign has been the less than ideal play they have gotten from their stars. Joel Embiid has missed significant time due to injury and is yet to turn in the nightly brand of greatness that has become a norm from him. Tyrese Maxey’s efficiency has taken a drastic hit trying to cover for his co-stars. Meanwhile Paul George has looked really iffy in his first foray as a Sixer.
George’s incredibly slow start is perhaps the most concerning tidbit out of the abovementioned. The 76ers signed him to a max deal in free agency — a move that seemed brilliant given that the nine-time All-Star was coming off his best shooting season in his career. Could this be a sign of things to come for him moving forward? The 76ers certainly hope not.
The Philadelphia 76ers could be in for the déjà vu ever with Paul George
Paul George’s contract was a pretty divisive one for fans and pundits alike during the offseason. On one hand, the 76ers shelled out a ton of money for a 34-year-old All-Star who has an exhaustive injury history. On the other, the front office made a grand move for a long-desired third star who has the perfect skill set to pair next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
There is more credence in subscribing to the latter belief, but only insofar as in theory. In reality, George has really struggled shooting the ball this season, and has often looked confused about his role within a shifty 76ers dynamic cudgeled into its current state by the team’s revolving door of injuries.
George is averaging a measly 16 points per outing on 41.7 percent shooting from the field, including a meager 33.3 percent conversion rate from rainbow country. Even more concerning is the fact that his shot diet has become as unstable as it can get. One night, he’s shooting flamethrowers; in some games, you have to beg him to create his own shot.
At this rate, the 76ers could be getting a rewind of the infamous Tobias Harris duddery — one characterized by a nightly showcase of Russian roulette-ish gameplays. Hopefully, that is a mere pigment of our imagination, and George returns to his normal form with more lineup stability.
So far, the Philadelphia 76ers have greatly underwhelmed, and Paul George living up to his contract could be the ultimate barometer if they are able to truly realize their potential as a ball club with this current core.