Watch: Paul George, Joel Embiid put in the offseason work at 76ers facility ahead of 2024-25 season
Roughly three months ago, Joel Embiid and Paul George attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics. Embiid said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown that he hoped the Philadelphia 76ers would “add pieces” in the offseason. While making this statement, “The Process” hilariously kept glancing at George.
Philadelphia’s front office listened to Embiid's subtle wish and signed George to a four-year, $212 million max contract. With that, “PG-13” joined a lineup that includes the former MVP along with All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. The 76ers now have perhaps the most potent “Big 3” in the NBA.
On Thursday, Philadelphia shared on X (formerly Twitter) some clips of their players while they were training; unsurprisingly, George and Embiid were part of the show. Other featured players in the post were Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon.
The 76ers have had star-studded lineups before, and they featured Embiid as the centerpiece of the roster. But despite that, they’ve never gone past the semifinals since Allen Iverson led the team to the NBA Finals in 2001. Philly fans are hoping that a combination of George’s arrival, Embiid’s dominance and the continued ascent of Maxey will be enough to get them over the hump starting next season.
Paul George claims it's a "dream come true" to play with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Paul George has played with some of the best players in the NBA. Before arriving in Philly, he spent five years playing with Kawhi Leonard, a two-time finals MVP, in the LA Clippers. While playing for that team, George was also joined by Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Even with all the star power that George has witnessed in the past, he had this to say about wearing the same uniform as Embiid and Maxey:
"I've never played with someone so big and dominant. He's the best or one of the best centers in the league, bro. That's a beast! Baby Shaq. It's a dream come true having a star point guard and a star big. That's a crazy dynamic."
George added that the three of them will have to develop chemistry in order to compete against the best. To beat the Boston Celtics, the trio will have to be on the same page against a team that consistently demolished opponents last season.
Philly fans are hoping George could be the missing link for the 76ers, a team that regularly disappoints in the playoffs. In the Embiid era, Philadelphia has lost thrice to Boston since 2018. "The Process" also holds a 3-12 record against Jayson Tatum and co.
A few months ago, George and Embiid complained about appearing on the sidelines while the NBA Finals were ongoing. They agreed that it was a feeling they didn't want to experience again. That said, they might have a chance to carry Philly to a championship together with Tyrese Maxey.