The Philadelphia 76ers improved their position for the upcoming season by adding nine-time All-Star Paul George. Ironically, the Sixers lost James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers last year to join PG in La La Land, and now, the tables have turned.
How George will mesh with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey remains to be seen. However, for former Sixers center Theo Ratliff , there’s no question PG’s skill set fits better with the team than Harden’s ball-dominant style.
“The one thing that Paul George does that James Harden didn’t do is play defense. With the dynamics of having a scorer that has played in an All-Star role for a long time and also knows how to defer to other All-Stars, I think it’s a great acquisition,” Ratliff said in an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“He’s the guy that, He does the utility work along with getting buckets,” added the 16-year NBA veteran.
Ratliff explained that the Palmdale, California native’s experience as an unheralded high school and college player helped him better get along with other stars. After all, George was only a three-star recruit and not considered a major college prospect. In the NBA, the Pacers drafted PG mainly because of his potential and not because of his body of work at the collegiate level.
Third wheel
Historically, the versatile forward didn’t mind playing the third star who’s willing to do everything to make it work. The four-time All-Defensive team member is a coach’s dream, somebody who can be plugged in at any position and play with any lineup.
George willingly played behind Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City for two years, sharing touches with Carmelo Anthony and Dennis Schroder. After the deal that sent him to the Clippers in 2019 pushed through, the Fresno State product stood in the shadows of Kawhi Leonard and accommodated Lou Williams and Harden at different stages.
Thanks to his adaptable skill set, George seamlessly complements Embiid and Maxey. With the All-Star pair combining for over 50 points a game, they need a collaborator, not a competitor, for shot attempts. That’s exactly what Paul brings.
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Sixers boast impressive depth
The Sixers’ depth may be the team’s biggest weapon this year. Philly resigned Kyle Lowry and got Reggie Jackson on board, basically sealing the Sixers’ guard rotation with Maxey. Kelly Oubre, Jr., Caleb Martin, and Eric Gordon are also in the mix, with Ricky Council IV and rookie Jared McCain probably getting some run at various points.
Even though Harden may be a better playmaker than George ever was, Philadelphia has enough ballhandlers to make it work while still letting the 2023 MVP do his thing. Throw in PG to the equation, and you have a roster that can roll out a dangerously versatile lineup every night.
From the outside looking in, the Sixers’ revamped roster, headlined by their newest acquisition, is shaping up to be a high-powered machine. As the pieces come together, Philly could make some serious noise in the Eastern Conference.
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