The Philadelphia 76ers scored 157 points with Paul George and Joel Embiid back in the lineup in an absolute domination of the Chicago Bulls. Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. are still out, but the Sixers look like a serious threat, which should terrify fans. Every single time Philly appears to be legit, things go up in flames. The hope is back, and supporters are terrifyingly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Since signing with the 76ers, George has played in 69 of 155 possible games. He wasn’t hurt this time. George is coming off a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. The time off gave the nine-time All-Star a chance to get fully healthy, and supporters saw immediate dividends.
PG finished with 28 points on 11 of 22 shooting, including six 3-pointers made in his first game back. He also had six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block against the Bulls. Philly doesn’t need him to be a superstar. George’s perimeter defense, floor spacing, and connectivity make the full-strength Sixers a threat. The 35-year-old shockingly opened that door again in his first game back.
Paul George’s return gives 76ers fans hope that they know won’t last
Everything is there on paper. Tyrese Maxey has blossomed into a superstar. Joel Embiid gives them an unstoppable second star who’s a matchup nightmare. VJ Edgecombe continues to grow as a versatile two-way threat. Quentin Grimes can get buckets off the bench. George is the perfect connector for that group. Fans have sold themselves on the Sixers several times, and the result is always the same.
Embiid just can’t stay healthy, no matter what the franchise does. He said his knee is fine, but fans know otherwise. The 76ers are not serious title threats with Adem Bona or Andre Drummond playing the five. Daryl Morey needed a backup center upgrade in the offseason and failed to land one.
The Sixers are 17-11 with George in the lineup this season. If they played at that pace over the full season, they’d be in fifth in the East and comfortably headed toward the playoffs. Now, Philly may have to go through the Play-In and is destined to face the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, or Cavaliers in round one. Getting up to fifth is massive, and the Sixers should be doing everything possible down the stretch to acheive that.
Paul George is having an impressive season. He has accepted a lesser role and is focused on helping the team win. The 6’8 forward can still drop 30 if that is what the Sixers need, but he is comfortable focusing on defense, sinking open looks, and playing within the flow of the game. Not many superstars are willing to make that shift. It is just another reason Philly is dangerous when healthy.
Sadly, that is the biggest if in basketball. Philadelphia 76ers fans have had their dreams crushed by this team too many times. The glimmer of hope immediately returned with the two max players back in the lineup, but don’t get sucked in. The result will just be heartbreak, like it always is.