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76ers wing Paul George announced Wednesday that he’d be taking a break from recording his podcast, Podcast P with Paul George, amidst individual and team struggles.
Philadelphia’s season (20-38) has not gone to plan, and they currently sit 3.5 GB of the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference. George’s announcement comes at a time when the 76ers are riding a nine-game losing streak.
“I plan to take a break from the pod just to focus on getting my body right, getting mentally right. And, you know, help this squad make a push towards our goal to finish the season out and give ourselves a chance to be in contention to compete for a championship,” said George on the Wednesday edition of his weekly podcast.
It’s been a rough ride all year for the 76ers. George, in the first year of a 4-year/$212 million contract, is enduring his worst campaign since he was a rookie in Indiana. Through 39 games, George is averaging 16.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 4.3 APG. The scoring output is his lowest since 2012. The 76ers are minus-4.7 per 100 possessions in George’s minutes. He’s never posted a negative net rating over a full season in his 15-year NBA career.
The 76ers are going to find it difficult to even get back in the play-in race, which makes George’s choice to mention the word “championship” all the more confusing. When the season began, Philadelphia was thought to be a true contender with a Big 3 consisting of George, former league MVP Joel Embiid, and rising star Tyrese Maxey.
Some fans have questioned George’s willingness to produce podcasts through a tumultuous stretch. The losses seem to have finally impacted him. George didn’t mention when he’d return to the podcast. It’s unclear if a sudden winning streak will cause him to reverse his decision. The 76ers currently have the sixth-worst record in the NBA and are closer to the 15th-seed Wizards than the 6th-seed Pistons.
The nine-time All-Star hasn’t played up to his standards, but it goes beyond his statistical output. Embiid’s absences have forced HC Nick Nurse into some tricky lineup configurations, including George being deployed as the tallest player on the floor for Philadelphia. When asked about it previously, George said he was “bored” playing center.
George has never been one to shy away from expressing displeasure by his usage on the court. However, it’s the little things that add up. His poor play coupled with his unwillingness to accept new roles has alienated him from a passionate fanbase. George podcasting through loss after loss only stoked the flames.
The team will have to hope the free time George has opened up will translate to a better product on the floor. George and the Sixers have a lot of work to do if they want any chance of salvaging a disastrous season. It’s likely already too late.
