Compared to their status quo just over a month ago, once can say that the Philadelphia 76ers are doing relatively well. After all, when the regular season entered its latter stages, it all seemed like the team was poised to spiral down into oblivion. One major reason why was the untimely suspension the league handed down on Paul George.
Be that as it may, everything turned out well for the 76ers on that front. George has looked like a completely different player since he returned from the same suspension that caused him to miss 25 games, abandoning the frustrating ilk he resembled before he went on his extended absence. Even better, George now appears to have found his real spot and actual voice on this team.
The nine-time All-Star struggled mightily last season as he coasted through numerous injuries. The same thing happened to him at the start of the campaign, but that is no longer the case. Now rejuvenated by his own admission, he now has a better grasp of his ideal spots on the floor, and his shots are starting to come naturally to him.
Paul George managed to turn his suspension into a lasting lesson to benefit the 76ers
According to George himself, the lengthy absence he was forced to yield to actually benefited him as it allowed him to hone his shot and rediscover his value on the team –– something he was not able to do when he was more focused on preserving his body due to the mileage he has on those legs.
Since he returned from his suspension, George averaged 21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from three-point territory in his last 10 games in the regular season.
Those numbers have held up well in the playoffs. Against the Celtics, he has turned in averages of 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals a night, draining 48.7 percent of his shots overall and 54.3 percent of his three-point tries.
George will never return to being the kind of player he was in Indiana, Oklahoma City, or Los Angeles, but it is great to see him quietly thrive in a role that is more modulated, yet tailor-made for his skill set. After all, he was brought in by the 76ers to help them get over the hump, and by showing up like this, he might just be able to get that job done.
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