With the Philadelphia 76ers having assumed a new dynamic centered on their electric backcourt players to fuel the engine, people were left wondering if Paul George even had a place on this team, especially after the kind of season he just had in the previous campaign. An untimely injury that kept him out nearly a month into the season also did not help his case in that regard.
However, in true star fashion, George seems to have already anticipated all these notions before he made his return. In fact, in his comeback games, he has already shown his personal adjustments to his game in order to better cater to the team’s new identity. Even better, the coaching staff seems to have grasped a firm idea on how to use him moving forward.
Many have written him off, but George is still a vital part of this team. Sure, he may never really live up to the huge contract he signed last year, but the 76ers have no other choice but to embrace him and put him in positions where he can thrive and complement the team’s main gunners. And the biggest recipient of having him around is none other than VJ Edgecombe.
Paul George will unlock the 76ers offense by simply being on the floor
Percentage-wise, the 76ers have been one of the better three-point shooting units in the league, which has greatly contributed to them having the ninth-best offensive rating as of writing. George’s return will bolster those areas, and more importantly, it will further open up the floor for the team’s litany of creators.
Tyrese Maxey is a given, but VJ Edgecombe stands to be the benefit the most from having George roaming the perimeter as a play finisher. Defenses still panic when the nine-time All-Star is given much legroom from beyond the three-point line to spot up for open threes or take it to the rim, making him arguably the most dangerous floor spacer the 76ers have.
Edgecombe, who has seen his efficiency take a huge hit as of late, is easy to envision being a seamless fit next to George. The rookie often finds himself stuck, figuring out his role when Maxey has the rock, and he is not yet advanced as a secondary playmaker to keep the offense moving beyond the initial action.
George can (and should) no longer be relied on to take major dominion over the ball, but when given space, he still has more than enough skill to punish defenses either with his shooting or secondary playmaking. That is the best way to use him as the season progresses, and him doing those should take the pressure off the rookie.
Slowly but surely, the Philadelphia 76ers are becoming even more lethal as a collective. It is just about keeping things consistent and solid enough to withstand possible injuries, such as those they are currently facing with Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre.