Paul George is set to return from his 25-game suspension on Wednesday, but before that, he spoke with reporters about the struggles of not being able to play.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been forced to adjust without Paul George following his 25-game suspension due to violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. The loss has impacted the teams' on-court production and overall stability.
George, one of the team's most experienced and versatile players, spoke about the difficulty of being sidelined despite remaining engaged behind the scenes.
"It's been tough," George said. "That was one of the toughest parts about it is [being] able to do everything but attend games. Because again, I'm preparing as if I'm playing, so to speak, but then not to be able to be fully a part of the game and helping guys during games and seeing the game up close, that was hard."
His absence has been felt across multiple areas. George remains a capable defender and a good floor spacer, as the veteran forward has been a 38% three-point shooter on nearly seven attempts per game this season. His ability to create offense, defend multiple positions, and bring veteran leadership is not easily replaced.
Players such as Dominick Barlow and Justin Edwards have done a good job filling in on the wing and proving they are solid options for the Sixers. Barlow plays hard, makes timely cuts, and rebounds well for his position, while Edwards is a good floor spacer.
However, both players come with limitations. Barlow is a subpar shooter, and Edwards is a poor defender; both of these are skills that George excels in and will be able to add to Philly when he returns to the court.
Despite being unable to participate in the games, George has remained closely involved with the team's preparation.
"I've been very much a part of this group. I've been on the scout team helping the guys prepare. I've been Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], I've been Luka [Dončić], I've been – you name it, who we played, I've been that personnel for us to prepare for those games. I've been spending a ton of time in the weight room, conditioning, on the court, just staying in shape, staying sharp," George said.
As Philadelphia continues to navigate this stretch, George's return will be critical. His reintegration into the lineup could help with floor spacing and defensive versatility, two areas that have been inconsistent in his absence.
More importantly, his return will restore balance. The Sixers have managed to stay afloat through internal development, but George's impact is something that could boost Philly's chances of making noise in the playoffs.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com