Paul George compared his move to the Philadelphia 76ers after spending the last five years on the Los Angeles Clippers to when Will Smith made the opposite transition, moving to Los Angeles from Philadelphia.
“I love the city, it’s been great since day one to be here. I think I can make the transition. If Will Smith can go to Beverly Hills, I think I can come to Philadelphia, so I’m looking forward to it. My family loves it here so far. It’s an adjustment for sure, I’m not gonna lie about that, but it’s one I was ready for.”
George also discussed the infamous 76ers fans, expressing his readiness for them to be on his side or turn against him.
“Yeah, even when they have their moments, I’m ready for that as well, just because I know where that comes from, it’s a passion thing. You want that pressure where the team wants you to play well and be ready to win.”
"I think I can make the transition. If Will Smith can go to Beverly Hills, I think I can come to Philadelphia." pic.twitter.com/aHQOdu2FHX
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 23, 2024
It seems George has been enjoying his time in Philadelphia already, speaking more in-depth about the city during his introductory press conference.
“It’s been nice, It’s been a warm welcome since I’ve been here. From free dinners to good cheesesteaks… I think everywhere we’ve been so far, it’s been a lot of love, you can tell the city is ready and thirsty to win. I’m ready to get to work, put the hard hat on, and go out and try to compete for a championship.”
Sixers forward Paul George since arriving in Philadelphia:
"It's been a warm welcoming since I've been here from free dinners, good cheesesteaks… I think everywhere we've been so far, it's been a lot of love, you can tell the city is ready and thirsty to win. I'm ready to get… pic.twitter.com/ZDJeZ084Sz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 24, 2024
George is coming to the 76ers on a four-year, $212 million max contract. He left the Clippers as a free agent after averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season.
While he’s still one of the premier two-way forwards in the NBA, he’s not at the level to single-handedly elevate teams to the Conference Finals and beyond. But with co-stars like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, George will be feeling more confident than he did alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden on the Clippers last season.
Paul George Feels The 76ers Are Legitimate Title Contenders Next Season
Paul George has said all the right things for the 76ers fans to embrace him with open arms this offseason. He has already made it clear that his intention of joining the 76ers is to win a title alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
“I thought everything aligned perfectly. Where they’re 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 expressed his fandom for Maxey and revealed how he and Embiid have been building their relationship at All-Star games over recent years.
“I’ve always been a fan of Tyrese (Maxey) and Joel from afar, and Joel has secretly been one of my closest All-Star Game friends. It kinda felt inevitable that we would link up and be teammates. I’m all in… No better place to do it, to win in, than Philadelphia to me. With the fan base, just the passion that goes into sports here in Philadelphia, there’s really no other place I wanted to align with and win in.”
The East will have two major challengers to the reigning champion Celtics, with the 76ers and the Knicks looking like the best-placed teams to beat them. The 76ers haven’t won a title since 1985, haven’t been to the Finals since 2001, and haven’t advanced to the Conference Finals in the Embiid era, making next season a crucial year for the franchise.
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