Following a frustrating initial season with the Sixers, Paul George is continuing to work his way back into form. Recently, George detailed to Philly Sports Network where he currently stands both physically and mentally and additionally about chasing his past levels of greatness.
When the Philadelphia 76ers signed George in July of 2024, the belief was that the team had secured a third star alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Unfortunately, the Paul George era in Philadelphia suffered a setback before it truly had the chance to begin, as George went down in his first preseason game with a bone bruise after hyperextending his left knee. George missed the first five games of the season, periodically played stretches, and eventually was shut down in early March due to a combination of the lingering bone bruise, which he reinjured during the season, and a torn adductor, which he had been attempting to play on.
George's first season was both undermined by injury before it began and then marred by further injury throughout the year. It's worth noting that these were lower-body injuries. Often, lower-body injuries are challenging to recover from, especially as players age, due to their inherent nature.
While George struggled physically, attempting to overcome nagging injuries at age 34, he also fought a mental battle, which he discussed in his exit interview following the Sixers' final game against the Chicago Bulls last season.
"It was a lot for me," George said. "I think, from a mental standpoint, a lot of stuff that was going on that I was trying to balance while being in a new situation. There was internal stuff for me, there was personal stuff for me, there were the fires that were going on out west, where my home is. There was frustration from injuries and then holding myself accountable for not playing to the expectation that I had coming into the season.
"There was just a ton of stuff. Just a ton of stuff that was weighing on me that going into next year, I'll kind of be free from a lot of those and alleviated from a lot of those. And so I do expect a better season. I expect a better turnaround for myself, for this team."
George, who has long been open about his mental health, has been freed from some of the mental struggles he's mentioned, but continues to deal with demons mentally as he works to become the best version of his modern-day self. He is gradually improving physically, but has yet to return to his former status.
Following a Jan. 14 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, George spoke on the difference in how he feels this season over last, both physically and mentally, opening up about where he feels he's improved and where he still struggles.
"I feel a lot better physically," George said. "But mentally, it's going to always be a hurdle when you think you're here physically, and that's up to me to continue to knock those hurdles down. That's always going to be a mental battle, 'How can I get as close to or near what I used to be physically?'
"That's what I'm chasing. That's what makes it that much more of a challenge for me: can I get back to that? But it's from a physical standpoint. I feel so much better than I did last year."
A former MVP candidate, a nine-time All-Star, Paul George was among the best in the NBA for a significant stretch of time. In an era in which defense is largely optional, he made it a point to be among the league's elite at both ends.
In year two with the Sixers, George did not make his debut until mid-November, and began the year ramping up after having arthroscopic surgery to clean up some debris in his knee during the offseason.
After an injury-plagued 2024-2025 season, George has regained his form as an impressive defender, largely thanks to an insistence on putting in the effort required to play quality defense, which is arguably half the equation for success on that end.
Offensively, George has yet to fully regain his All-Star form; he may never do so. Still, he has made significant strides as the season progresses, and the biggest story is his renewed willingness to attack the rim.
After marks near the lowest in his career last year and through December of this season, George has begun to make a concerted effort to get downhill more frequently. Averaging 2.5 shots within five feet last season and 2.0 shots to begin the year, George has improved that number to 2.9 attempts.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has noticed George's intent to work his way toward the rim, noting it's less about a desired focus discussed between him and George and more a result of his improved health.
"I think the latter," Nurse said ahead of Friday's game against the Cavaliers. "I think he just is feeling better, getting [into a] better rhythm, and just a little more confidence in his game. And I think it's really important, because he has made some really nice moves to get some really easy buckets, and we could use a few more easy buckets."
While the difference may feel minuscule given the small sample size, Nurse summarized the importance well by acknowledging the team's need for more easy buckets.
If George can continue to drive at this rate, or even beyond, it will open up not only his own offensive capabilities but also those of the entire team.
The Sixers have found themselves hitting a wall of offensive inconsistency when Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are less than perfect. VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes have exceeded expectations in terms of their contributions, but more is still needed if Philadelphia is to make a push in the East.
It will be difficult for the Sixers to find a way to meaningfully improve their roster this season. As has been the case since the start of the year, their best hope of improvement lies in their existing players evolving or returning to form.
Maxey has evolved his game. Embiid has returned far closer to form than anyone could have expected — far sooner than expected as well. George has played well this season, but still has plenty of room to grow as he continues to chase some semblance of his previous ability.
The level of play George can return to is not yet certain, but for now, he's continuing to improve and is wisely adapting his game to his returning health, which will be a crucial storyline for the Sixers as they look to make some noise leading up to and into the postseason.
