When the Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George last summer to a reported four-year, $212 million contract, many experts predicted that the team would be challenging at the summit of the Eastern Conference and had the potential to book a place in the NBA Finals -- this was far from the case, creating an uneasy feeling around the long-term future of the Sixers.
Sixers supporters had to endure a catastrophic campaign, in which the franchise could only muster 24 wins out of 72 games. Not even the most pessimistic of fans could have envisaged that the 76ers would be in the race for the much sought-after prospect, Cooper Flagg, come the end of the season.
However, the reasons behind this depressing effort were not as simplistic as poor performance levels and questionable coaching, like many other sides that languished in the lower echelons of the regular season standings. One major contributing factor will sound all too familiar to followers of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Paul George's injury record continues to haunt the 76ers
In his younger days, Paul George was regarded as an explosive forward with a burst of pace that left the opposition defense trembling at the thought of being left on a poster. Nevertheless, Father Time and countless injuries -- including a brutal lower left leg compound fracture in 2014 -- caused the nine-time NBA All-Star to transition into a different playing style.
Offensively, George may not be as aggressive or flamboyant with his finishing at the basket, yet his production has still been phenomenal, averaging 21+ points per game for nine consecutive seasons (until he arrived in Philadelphia).
As the third scoring option on a roster that possesses the inevitable Joel Embiid and electric Tyrese Maxey, George's statistics should not worry Sixers fans; it is his ability to stay healthy and make a consistent contribution on the court that could potentially derail the 76ers' championship ambitions.
Since his final season with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2018-19), the 35-year-old has only managed to feature in more than 56 games on one occasion. Most recently, George played in just 41 games for the Sixers and has already undergone arthroscopic left knee surgery during this offseason, leaving the franchise unsure if the star will be ready to participate in the start of training camp later this month.
Undoubtedly, general manager Daryl Morey will be under severe scrutiny if Philadelphia fans do not witness a version of Paul George that can make a meaningful impact on the court this year. Handing out such a lucrative contract to a forward with a sketchy fitness record could be the undoing of Morey and his relationship with the 76ers.
Usually, a franchise can take a leap of faith by recruiting a superstar who has the potential to propel the team to eternal glory, despite the high risk of exacerbating previous fitness issues. This was always a recipe for disaster in Philadelphia when you factor in the outrageous list of injuries the Sixers have had to deal with in recent times.
George can still become a vital tool in the 76ers' roster as they look to win their first championship since 1983, but Lady Luck will have to grant the veteran a clean bill of health, or Morey may need to manufacture a master plan to salvage his future.