The sample size is way too small, but from the looks of it, Paul George is in much better shape this season. While he took his time recovering from an offseason surgery, the good thing is that the Philadelphia 76ers truly waited for him to undergo an extensive rehab to make sure that his absences could be tempered moving forward.
George’s return opens up a world of possibilities for the 76ers on the hardwood. Now functioning in a tweaked role that still makes full use of his gifts, people have become high on his ability to take this team over the hump. Having said that, it seems like no one has spoken about the way he can positively influence the team in the locker room, especially with regard to Joel Embiid.
No, George and Embiid’s supposed connection is not one hinged on trauma bonding as a result of injuries. These are real veterans who share a much deeper linkage stemming from common experience — the experience of playing second fiddle as their careers progressed. That is precisely the area where the nine-time All-Star can have a major ripple on Embiid.
Paul George can show Joel Embiid the way to playing Robin for the 76ers
Tyrese Maxey has flourished into an MVP-caliber player so far this season, and with Joel Embiid still missing games as expected, the 76ers seem to have already embraced entrenching the former as their No. 1 guy not only this season, but moving forward.
Yet despite that inevitable fact, the 76ers appear to still be conflicted in cementing that pecking order when Embiid is on the floor. This is where George comes into the equation — no, not to muddle it up even more, but to guide Embiid into coming to terms with it fully.
George has experienced being the franchise player when he was with the Indiana Pacers, but since he left the Circle City, he went to situations where he was the clear No. 2.
In Oklahoma City, he was nominally the Robin to Russell Westbrook’s Batman despite him being their best player for a good while. When he went to the LA Clippers, he expressly accepted being the second fiddle to Kawhi Leonard, who was just coming off a championship when they formed that team.
Embiid still has the talent to be the alpha for the 76ers, but that should not be the case. It is no longer physically viable for him to assume that robe, and he has to accept it not only off the court, but also on the hardwood.
Fortunately for the former MVP, George can be his voice of reason in that regard. After all, accepting that new reality will help him elongate his career while also bolstering the 76ers’ shot at glory moving forward.