Things continue to unravel for the 76ers, but Bill Simmons knows where to place some of the blame.
Philadelphia entered the season with championship aspirations after signing Paul George to a blockbuster four-year, $211 million contract this offseason, but injuries, poor play and Wednesday's The OT loss against the Knicks left them out of the playoffs with a record of 15 wins and 24 losses.
George is averaging his lowest points per game (17.2) since 2014 and said he is “bored” playing center to fill the void left by Joel Embiid's recent injury.
“Just playing as number five is not enough for me, but I think it's important to have a kind of battle against the strong players, keeping in mind the ability to clog the middle and help and cut off passing and driving lanes.” [Sixers coach Nick Nurse] That’s the style I’m thinking about,” he said after his team’s loss to the Pelicans last week. “But it’s fun chasing the little guys and playing against the wingers.”
Ringer founder Simmons questioned George's determination to win no matter the circumstances.
“I didn't like that he complained about playing with five when Embiid was out. He said, 'This isn't very interesting to me.' Well, we're trying to win the game,'' Simmons said. Podcast named after him. “You're 15 to 24 years old. Maybe you'll do whatever you can to make the team better?”
The influential podcaster added that George is one of the worst trade assets in the NBA, citing a long and expensive contract mixed with declining production.
“Overall, he looks older. He had an injury before this year, so I don't know if this is a phase or not,” Simmons said. “…He doesn't look the same, and in the same way that if Philadelphia called Miami and said, 'We'll give you Paul George instead of Jimmy Butler,' Miami wouldn't do that.” I can't see it. “
Simmons also added that George may be a little too focused on growing his Podcast P, which has 783,000 subscribers on YouTube.
George, who was granted free agency by the Clippers in a shocking offseason move, played in 27 of the 76ers' 39 games.
The Clippers have a record of 23 wins and 17 losses, good for fifth place in the West Division, and with often-injured forward Kawhi Leonard playing well, they appear to be in much better shape than the 76ers. .
But the main problem for the 76ers isn't just George or his boredom. Anyone watching knows the 76ers can't win without their center.
Embiid is currently out with a foot injury, but he is also battling a back injury.
Backup center Andre Drummond, signed to a $5 million, one-year deal this offseason, will be relied upon heavily to provide size and defensive ability to clog the paint.
Drummond has started in 14 of his 26 games, but his net rating is the third-worst among starting centers in the NBA (starting in at least 13 games).
