Now that the Philadelphia 76ers had adopted a new dynamic that required their electric backcourt players to fuel the engine, people wondered if Paul George even had a place on this teamespecially after the kind of season he just had in the previous campaign. An untimely injury that kept him out for almost a month into the season didn’t help his case in that regard either.
But in true star fashion, George seems to have anticipated all these ideas before he returned. In fact, in his comeback games he has already shown his personal adjustments to his game to better accommodate the team’s new identity. In fact, the coaching staff seems to have gotten a clear idea of how to use him in the future.
Many have written him off, but George is still an essential part of this team. Sure, he may never actually live up to the massive contract he signed last year, but the 76ers have no choice but to embrace him and put him in positions where he can thrive and complement the team’s main gunners. And the biggest receiver of him around is none other than VJ Edgecombe.
Paul George unlocks the 76ers offense by simply lying on the ground
Percentage-wise, the 76ers were one of the better three-point shooting units in the league, which largely contributed to them having the ninth-best offensive rating at the time of writing. George’s return will strengthen these areas, and more importantly, it will further open the floor for the team’s litany of creators.
Tyrese Maxey is a given, but VJ Edgecombe has the most upside with George roaming the perimeter as a playmaker. Defenses still panic when the nine-time All-Star gets plenty of leg room from beyond the three-point line to spot open threes or get to the rim, making him perhaps the most dangerous floor spacer the 76ers have.
Edgecombe, who has seen his efficiency take a huge hit of late, can easily imagine himself fitting in seamlessly alongside George. The rookie often gets stuck figuring out his role when Maxey has the rock, and he hasn’t yet progressed as a secondary playmaker to move the offense beyond the initial play.
George can (and should) no longer be relied upon to have great control of the ball, but when given space he still has more than enough skill to punish defenses with his shooting or secondary playmaking. That’s the best way to use him as the season progresses, and if he does that should take the pressure off the rookie.
Slowly but surely, the Philadelphia 76ers are becoming even deadlier as a collective. It’s about keeping things consistent and solid enough to withstand potential injuries like the ones they’re currently facing Joel Embid and Kelly Oubre.
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