To say that the Philadelphia 76ers have gone off to a slow start would be euphemistic to the highest degree. Expectations for this ball club were as lofty as they can get before the present campaign began, and so far, they have been one of, if not the biggest disappointment in the NBA during the first half of the season.
The perennial problem that is the injury bug has once again plagued the 76ers, but that is far from a novel thing in Philly. In seasons past, they were still able to put out winning records amid grim injury reports. But this time, everything has gone wayward from what everyone expected out of the team.
Part and parcel of the team’s shocking stinker at this juncture is the unexpectedly underwhelming play they have gotten from their marquee free agency acquisition, Paul George. The nine-time All-Star is currently turning in some of his worst marks ever since his rookie season, making his max contract one that could age really badly.
The 76ers are learning this about Paul George the hard way
Having said that, there was a reason as to why the Clippers did not really combust after George spurned them in free agency. Still in the thick of the playoff picture out West despite his departure and Kawhi Leonard’s long absence, LA has proven what Norman Powell infamously said, that George’s exit was akin to an addition by subtraction.
Unfortunately, the 76ers are learning this the hard way. One would think that his max contract would truly age badly, but only at the end of its lifespan, not at its commencement. Instead, he would be eating into the team’s cap space to a significant degree while providing value that can be deemed minimal when scaled to how much he’s making —- well, that is what could very well transpire at this rate.
Given the amount of absences by Joel Embiid, George had ample opportunity to fit the shoe of a head poncho. Instead, he seems to have embraced being an ancillary part of the team, often being passive and letting Tyrese Maxey do his thing even when the defense had alreadu suffocated him. Heck, he’s even complaining about playing an otherwise emergency role.
The Clippers clearly already knew that George’s decline was on its way. His absence has not only opened up a bunch of cap space they used to lure in multiple role players, but also opportunities on the court for those needing them. Look, the results have been promising.
Unless Paul George imposes his will on a consistent basis, the Philadelphia 76ers will never get what they paid for when they secured the All-Star to a max contract.
And the way this is going, the LA Clippers are looking like genius clairvoyants.