Paul George will not pass up an opportunity like this.
He won't pass up the chance to play alongside a former MVP in Joel Embiid and the reigning Most Improved Player Tyrese Maxey.
He won't pass up the opportunity help a city that hasn’t escaped the second round of the playoffs since 2001 win their first NBA title since 1983.
"I thought everything aligned perfectly. Where they're [Sixers] at and trying to go vs where I'm trying to get to as well. I think we got a real legitimate shot (of winning a title)," George said in his formal introduction as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philly Paul is ALL IN. pic.twitter.com/fvveVuwQuO
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 23, 2024
During the offseason, George found a new home after spending his last five seasons in the West coast with the LA Clippers, signing a four-year, $212 million contract to return to the East for the first time since 2017.
[ALSO READ: Yay or nay?: Joel Embiid, Pat Bev, NBA community speak on Paul George’s blockbuster move to join Philadelphia 76ers]
The nine-time All-Star noted “Philly was No. 1" for his top choice in free agency because the 76ers “kind of fit my game and fit where I was at in my career.”
That is yet to be seen, but George sends a clear message on his main objective.
“I’m all-in,” he said.
“My family’s here, all in. … We felt that this was the best and next step in the phase of my career. I thought everything just aligned perfectly — where they’re at, and where they’re trying to go, and where I’m trying to get to as well,” he added.
business to tend to. 💼 pic.twitter.com/BfRjEZked2
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 23, 2024
The 34-year-old now joins Embiid and Maxey in Philadelphia who are in desperate need of a third-scoring option that became evident in their first-round exit against the New York Knicks in the past postseason.
[ALSO READ: Knicks outlast Sixers in Game 6 thriller, arrange East semis clash with Pacers]
Embiid and Maxey averaged a combined 62.8 points in that six-game series loss with Kelly Oubre Jr. being the only other Sixer to crack a double-digit average at 13.2 points.
Furthermore, he and the Sixers big man have been into some All-Star Games before and the two linking up on the same team seems bound to happen as per the five-time All-NBA Third team member.
“Joel has secretly been one of my closest All-Star Game friends,” George said. “It kind of felt inevitable that at some point, we would link up and be teammates.”
George, who is coming off a season averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on 47.1% shooting last season, can be that missing piece that Sixers hope he can be to help the 76ers reach the peak of their potential.
On his fourth team already, the veteran wingman knew what the immediate goal was in Philly.
“Obviously, winning,” George said, before a beat, “and to get past the second round.”
"no better place to win in than Philadelphia." pic.twitter.com/bWllFn36O8
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 23, 2024
Sixers team owner Josh Harris sees the same end goal as George.
“I think we are set up,” he said.
“It’s hard not to be excited about this team. I’ve been here for the last 10 years, 12 years, and this is among, if not the best team, we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
Those teams include a list of young talents and controversial superstars that for some reason failed to deliver Philly a title before eventually leaving the squad ranging from Ben Simmons to Tobias Harris; from Jimmy Butler to Al Horford; from Markelle Fultz to James Harden.
This team is different, and besides the trio of Embiid, George and Maxey, Philly brought back Kyle Lowry and Kelly Oubre Jr, and added Andre Drummond, Caleb Martin, KJ Martin, and 2024 draft picks Jared McCain and Adem Bona.
Too early to say, but Philadelphia might be the biggest threat in the East against the reigning champions Boston Celtics.
