It was a rough season for the Philadelphia 76ers and star Paul George, who struggled in large part due to injuries. George was limited to only 41 games and saw near career lows in a number of stats, including points (16.2), his lowest since the 2014-2015 NBA season. When healthy, George has been, and to some could still be, among the best two-way players in the league.
Ahead of the upcoming season, Zach Harper of The Athletic ranked the top 40 wings in the NBA. Despite his struggles last season, George ranked as the sixth-best wing player in the league, being placed in the second tier, known as "All-NBA Level Wings".
George has been among several preseason concerns for the Sixers, having undergone an arthroscopic procedure on his lower body during the offseason, but a good stretch of health could be all the nine-time All-Star needs to get back on track. Harper did note the importance of good health for George, stating, "It will also be interesting to see how PG comes back from missing so much time last year."
It's unlikely George will ever compete for an MVP again in his career, but a return to All-Star form is possible—health permitting.
Defensively, George was solid when available last season, and he continued to showcase impressive talent as a facilitator. If he can find his legs, increase the frequency he drives to the rim, and knock down open shots with range, he can be a strong contributor to the Sixers as they continue to pursue an NBA Championship.
