Paul George is one of the few players that elicits a disdainful attitude to their legacy.
Most respect what he’s done during his career, but the compliments always seem to be backhanded, with consistent mention of what he hasn’t yet achieved rather than what he has.
Perhaps it’s the inevitable outcome for a superstar wing who played at the same time as Kevin Durant and LeBron James—but the Philadelphia 76ers are willing to bet on his legacy being malleable.
George signed a massive four-year, $211,584,940 deal with the 76ers earlier this summer. It was a decision that sent a clear message to the rest of the NBA: As Embiid enters his age-30 season, Philadelphia is going all-in on finally getting over the hump.
Those efforts have resulted in Daryl Morey constructing a Big Three that projects to complement one another to virtual perfection.
While Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are heralded as stars whom Philadelphia can rely on when healthy, some remain skeptical of George. His exit from the LA Clippers was tumultuous, but the real questions his skeptics want answered revolve around his quality of play in the postseason.
Six years after George branded himself Playoff P, people can’t seem to let the comment go—and have overlooked one of the best carers of the modern era, if not NBA history.
Paul George is a future Hall of Famer—so why isn’t he treated like one?
George is soon to begin his 15th NBA season, which already speaks to a remarkable display of longevity. The likes of Stephen Curry, Durant, and James have seemingly tricked people into thinking that it’s common for players to still be performing at an All-Star level in their mid-30s.
George is on the shortlist of players who continue to defy Father Time, however, with his ninth All-Star Game appearance occuring during his 14th season—at age 33.
George isn’t just producing in volume and coasting off of his reputation, however, but instead maintains elite efficiency. In 2023-24, he averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 3.3 three-point field goals made on .471/.413/.907 shooting.
In the process, George pulled within 2,000 points of reaching 20,000 for his career—a figure he’s likely to reach as a 76er, health permitting.
Even without that historically significant feat, George would take a leisurely stroll into the Hall of Fame. He’s a six-time All-NBA honoree, including a First Team nod in 2018-19, and a four-time All-Defense honoree whose brilliance on that end of the floor is undersold by his accolades.
George is also an Olympic gold medalist and was the go-to scorer on three different teams that reached the Conference Finals—including the Clippers’ first-ever appearance in the NBA Semifinal.
There have been unfortunate moments during George’s postseason career, but the same can be said for every player. Perhaps it’s because he has a podcast, or the degree to which he’s come up short in a select few scenarios, but George deserves more respect for the career he’s pieced together.
As the 76ers attempt to end a Conference Finals drought and go on to win their first championship since 1983, George will have every chance to redeem himself and silence his critics.
