Paul George Opens Up About What 76ers Fans Have Known for Months
The Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their regular season today with a 122-102 loss at home to the Chicago Bulls, and the franchise, along with its fans, is ready to wrap up this absolute disaster of a 2024-25 season. The 76ers will finish the regular season with the fifth-worst record in the NBA after coming in viewed as a legitimate NBA Championship contender. Injuries and lack of continuity derailed this season for Philly quicker than most fans could’ve ever expected. The Sixers finished the regular season with a 24-58 record, slotting it in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, only ahead of the 19-63 Charlotte Hornets and 18-64 Washington Wizards. Joel Embiid and Paul George, two of the Sixers’ three stars, had their seasons cut short due to injury. In his exit press conference after the loss to Chicago, George shared his thoughts on the 76ers’ season and told reporters what fans have known for a while now.
“We didn’t see ourselves being 13th in the East,” George said. “I think we were just in a scramble all year.” This isn’t breaking news to 76ers fans and fans around the NBA, as Philadelphia became the laughingstock of the league throughout the season with just how quickly things went south. The franchise did break a record this season, but not one to be particularly proud of, as the Sixers sent out over 52 unique starting lineups this season, an all-time NBA record. Paul George was signed to a max contract as a free agent this offseason and it was meant to bolster the franchise to take it over the hump in the NBA playoffs. But in his first year with the team, things couldn’t have gone any worse.
The one positive with how this season has gone for Philadelphia is the fact that it will likely get a top pick in this year’s NBA Draft, which boasts a class of extremely talented prospects. Granted, the pick must fall within the top six for the Sixers to keep it. As part of a trade where Philadelphia acquired Danny Green in 2020, the 76ers sent a 2025 top-six protected first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. So, if the pick lands outside of the top six, it will go to OKC. Finishing with the fifth-worst record in the NBA, Philly has put itself in a great spot to keep the pick, but no one ever knows with the lottery. As the Sixers look towards their future with Joel Embiid and several expiring contracts, the franchise will have to handle, most involved with the 76ers are ready to leave this season behind.
