The Philadelphia 76ers’ season hasn’t gone as planned, and a central part of that plan was the subject of a minor complaint Friday.
Due to injuries to starting center Joel Embiid and backup center Andre Drummond, Paul George was asked to play in the paint rather than his usual position on the wing against the New Orleans Pelicans, owners of the worst record in the Western Conference. He didn’t like it, judging by what he told reporters after a 123-115 loss when asked about the position:
“It’s different. I’m used to scrapping, running, chasing, fighting through screens. To be honest, I’m bored. Playing on a five isn’t enough for me, but I think being aware of my abilities to clog up the middle and help and cut off passing lanes and driving lanes, kind of battle with the bigs, that’s what (Sixers coach Nick Nurse ) sees in this style But I like it. chasing the little ones and confronting a wing.
With Embiid and Drummond out, the only big men on the Sixers roster were Guerschon Yabusele and Adem Bona. One member of that pair was on the field for the entire game Friday, except for a short period in the fourth quarter, when George played alongside Caleb Martin, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre and Ricky Council IV. The Sixers were outscored by two points during that roughly two-minute stretch.
George joined the Sixers in the offseason on a four-year, $212 million contract after five years with the Los Angeles Clippers. At 16.5 points per game, he is currently marking his lowest level since the 2014-15 season, when he was returning from a gruesome leg injury.
George missed the start of the season with a bone bruise in his knee, making him one of several Sixers to suffer injuries this year. Embiid has only played 13 games. KJ Martin and Kyle Lowry were also out on Friday. Jared McCain, the team’s surprise signing, is out for the season.
And the team’s record is 15-21, currently good for 11th place in the East.
