Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has seemingly learned from the superstars who came before him. Rather than clinging to what was and refusing to accept a lesser role based on reputation and talent, he's buying in to what Nick Nurse is selling and helping the 76ers win as a supporting player.
Countless stars have seen their careers derailed by their unwillingness to accept a less prominent role as they enter their mid-to-late 30s, but George is avoid that fate by embracing the team's needs.
George returned to the 76ers after a 12-game absence and eased his way back into the rotation in a relatively low-usage manner. It was a gradual process facilitated by the superstar leap made by Tyrese Maxey and the instant emergence of rookie VJ Edgecombe.
As the season has progressed, it's become clear that George isn't just acclimating himself to a revamped rotation—he's truly sacrificing for the better of the team.
George is currently producing his lowest usage rate since 2012-13 at 22.6. That's clearly still a significant figure, but the fact that he's been willing to take such a significant step back is a testament to how committed he is to the success of the team.
Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast recently praised George for accepting his new role and buying in when so many older stars have proven unwilling to do so in the past.
"I think Paul George deserves a pretty real amount of credit for how he's played recently...I've actually enjoyed the way that Paul George has stepped into a role here and done a pretty solid job of just taking the shots that come to him. Over his last eight games, he's hitting 41 percent from three on seven attempts per game. And averaging 17 points and passing reasonably well. And takes on semi-difficult matchups."
George is also averaging his fewest field goal attempts per game since 2011-12. In every respect, his acceptance of his new role has been thorough and mutually beneficial.
Paul George is buying in and embracing a supporting role for 76ers
George, a six-time All-NBA honoree and nine-time All-Star, is shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc. That's up rather significantly from 35.8 percent in 2024-25. He's also burying 42.1 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes per game, which may be the most significant statistic of all.
George isn't just playing off of his teammates in a passive manner, but is finding ways to actively seek out shots that simplify the game for the primary ball handlers.
It's also worth noting that George is shooting just 31.8 percent on pull-up field goals, which is down from 38.6 percent in 2024-25. Even if he fails to reach last season's mark, he should improve from an uncharacteristically low point as his legs get under him and his role within the offense becomes more defined.
In the process, George would provide the unique gift of helping the 76ers unlock a new element on offense late in the season.
Paul George is sacrificing his ego and playing a team-first role
It's worth noting that George continues to command significant attention from opposing defenses. Even with a decreased workload in regard to shot attempts, he's drawing in defenders and causing rotations that open driving lanes for his teammates.
According to Basketball Index, George ranks in the 95th percentile in overall gravity, which measures the attention an offensive player receives from opposing defenses in on and off-ball scenarios.
As the season progresses, George's willingness to utilize the attention he receives to take pressure off of the new wave of stars becomes even more commendable. He's been on fire in recent games, as Vecenie noted, yet he still hasn't forced the issue.
If George continues to follow the course he's charted, then the 76ers will have a legitimate opportunity to make noise in the Eastern Conference.