Things keep unraveling for the 76ers — and Bill Simmons knows where to put some of the blame.
Philadelphia entered the season with championship aspirations after signing Paul George to a massive four-year, $211 million contract this offseason but injuries, poor play and Wednesday’s OT loss to the Knicks have them outside the playoff picture at 15-24.
George, averaging his lowest points per game total (17.2) since 2014, said he was “bored” playing center to help fill the gap left by Joel Embiid’s latest injury woe.
“Playing on a five just don’t do enough for me, but I think being mindful of my ability to clog the middle and help and cut off passing lanes and driving lanes, kind of battle with the bigs is what [Sixers coach Nick Nurse] sees in that style,” he said after the team fell to the Pelicans last week. “But I enjoy chasing the little guys and matching up against a wing.”
Ringer founder Simmons questioned George’s commitment to win under any circumstances.
“I didn’t like that he complained about playing the five when Embiid’s out. That he said ‘This is just not that fun for me.’ Uhm, you’re trying to win games,” Simmons said on his eponymous podcast. “You’re 15-24. Maybe do whatever it can take to make the team better?”
The influential podcaster added that George is one of the worst trade assets in the NBA, citing a long, expensive contract mixed with declining production.
“Just in general, he looks old. I don’t know if this is a phase because he was injured before the year,” Simmons said. “… He doesn’t look the same, and he doesn’t look the same to the point that I think if Philly called Miami and said ‘We’ll give you Paul George for Jimmy Butler,’ I don’t think Miami does it.”
Simmons also added that George might be a bit too distracted by growing his “Podcast P” which has 783,000 subscribers on YouTube.
George, who was allowed to head to free agency in a shocking move by the Clippers in the offseason, has played in 27 of the 76ers’ 39 games.
The Clippers look to be in much better shape than the 76ers, as they hold a 23-17 record, good for fifth place in the West — and much of that oft-injured forward Kawhi Leonard.
The main issue for the 76ers isn’t just George or his boredom, though, as anyone watching knows that the 76ers can’t win without a center.
Embiid is currently out with a foot injury but has also battled back injuries, among others.
Backup center Andre Drummond, who signed a one-year deal for $5 million this offseason, has been heavily relied on to provide size and defensive prowess to clog up the paint.
Drummond has been thrust into a starting role in 14 of 26 games played, but has the third-worst net rating of any starting center in the NBA (minimum of 13 starts).
