The Philadelphia 76ers are witnessing a nightmare season play out.
In the wake of a relatively depressing and frustrating season already, another factor that completely disturbs the Philadelphia 76ers has been the performances from Paul George.
In just his first season with the 76ers, the All-Star instantly endured health issues. Across the team’s 54 games thus far this 2024-25 campaign, he only managed to play in 35 games. And his offensive production is even beyond horrible, averaging just 16.1 points which stands as his lowest since his third year in the NBA.
George’s inability to play alongside Joel Embiid has placed Philly in a state of frustration, igniting criticism from pundits in what should be a season of contention.
Stephen A. Smith rips Paul George in the midst of All-Star’s inactivity issues for Philly
The 76ers secured the service of George by landing a massive four-year, $212 million max deal, luring him to finally leave the Los Angeles Clippers after five seasons.
Unfortunately thus far, they haven’t seen any significant positives from the star swingman out of this huge commitment.
To make matters worse, it was even reported that George is currently dealing with a tendon damage in his left pinky finger. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Philadelphia wing has been taking multiple injections just to make himself active to play.
On Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith offered his criticism against George, noting that the future Hall of Famer was only convinced of joining the 76ers because of money.
“I think he’s injured and playing through it, or he don’t wanna be in Philly. He doesn’t look like a person that’s enthused by being in Philadelphia,” he said about George.
“He took the money, he doesn’t look like a dude that wants to play. I hope that I’m wrong, he’s class personified, one of the best people you’ll ever meet in professional sports.
“But he looks really, really bad. And nobody saw that coming.”
Warning to 76ers
Philadelphia won the race for Paul George ahead of the Golden State Warriors. He managed to attain his contract, backed by owner Josh Harris, who led the initiative alongside top executive Daryl Morey and the legendary Julius Erving.
But fast forward this February, their bold desire to see George taking Philadelphia to the next level of contention as the latest co-stars of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey has not materialized. They are sitting outside of the Play-In picture of the East with a horrible 20-34 record, prompting Kendrick Perkins to suggest that they should end now their competitive plans this year.
Stephen A. Smith has warned that Josh Harris’ close ties to Magic Johnson could be bad news for all connected with the 76ers amid their current state.
“You heard this warning here first. Josh Harris doesn’t only own the Sixers, he own the Washington Commanders, and he has a partner with the Washington Commanders named Earvin Magic Johnson,” Smith said.
“Now Earvin Magic Johnson ain’t coming to run the Philadelphia 76ers. Don’t get me wrong.
“What I’m saying is if you in the company of this man, don’t tell me that Magic Johnson is by your side and you don’t take an opportunity to get his basketball opinions, from the greatest point guard who ever lived and a five time champion.
“He knows the garbage he owns in Philadelphia, because I guarantee at some point in time, Magic has told him so.
“That is bad news for Daryl Morey, that is bad news for the Embiids of the world, for the Paul Georges of the world, mark my words on that.”
The Sixers will remain tied with George possibly until 2027-28, unless they can find a team willing to take on his contract.
But if Harris decided to tear it all down in Philadelphia and begin another rebuild, after this past season, few could blame him.