NBA podcaster reveals how Joel Embiid finessed his way into broadcast to recruit Paul George
During the pregame of Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics, Paul George and Joel Embiid graced an ESPN show that analyzed the championship series. The Los Angeles Clippers star was initially announced to be on the show, and 2022-23 MVP Embiid was a surprise guest.
George and Embiid have never made it to the NBA Finals. The Philadelphia 76ers star has never reached the conference finals; George, meanwhile, has made three conference finals but fell short in all of them.
The two superstars were a surprisingly welcome element to the NBA Finals pre-show. According to NBA insider Sean Bernard, the pair’s appearance was not in the plan until Embiid asked to be in the show.
“So it seems like the story is that Joel Embiid was in the building for the NBA Finals with Josh Harris and ran into Tim Bontemps. Tim told Joel that Paul George was on the pregame show and Joel said he would go on too without an invite,” said Bernard.
“That totally rocks. Well done, Joel,” the NBA analyst and Philadelphia 76ers reporter added.
It was an interesting move by Embiid, who lost in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, fueling rumors about possibly recruiting George to Philadelphia. Similarly, George lost in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, as two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard missed most of the series.
Aside from having zero NBA finals experience, Embiid and George have no known connections. Embiid’s guest appearance seems to be a bold ploy to potentially recruit George to Philly, where his current teammate James Harden also played for two seasons.
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Philadelphia 76ers can pair Paul George and Joel Embiid next season
The Philadephia 76ers have significant cap space to get any player they want this offseason, including Paul George. The 34-year-old star still has not opted for his player option with the Clippers this season. If he doesn’t sign a new deal on or before June 30, George will add his name to the unrestricted free agency, where the 76ers can easily snag him with the right amount of money.
In the pregame show, Embiid also hinted at the recruitment of George, saying that he hopes the 76ers get better next season to challenge Eastern Conference champions the Boston Celtics.
"Hopefully this offseason we'll find a way to get better and, you know, add some pieces," Embiid said, sneakily glancing at George beside him.
George would be a great addition to the 76ers' core of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris, as he averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in his fifth season with the Clippers.