The Philadelphia 76ers’ season has not gone according to plan, and one of the central components of that plan had a minor complaint on 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 at the wing against the New Orleans Pelicans, owners of the worst record in the Western Conference. He didn’t enjoy it, judging from what he told reporters after a 123-115 loss when asked about the positon:
“It’s different. I’m used to scrapping and running around and chasing, fighting through screens. To be honest, I’m bored. Playing on a five just don’t do enough for me, but I think being mindful of my ability to clog the middle and help and cut off passing lanes and driving lanes, kind of battle with the bigs is what [Sixers coach Nick Nurse] sees in that style. But I enjoy chasing the little guys and matching up against 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 court the entire game Friday except for a short stretch 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 in that roughly two-minute stretch.
George joined the Sixers this season on a four-year, $212 million contract after five years with the Los Angeles Clippers. With 16.5 points per game, he is currently scoring at his lowest clip since the 2014-15 season, when he returned from a horrific leg injury.
George missed the start of the season due to a bone bruise in his knee, making him only one of the Sixers to deal with an injury this year. Embiid has played only 13 games. KJ Martin and Kyle Lowry were both out Friday too. Jared McCain, the team’s nice rookie surprise, is out for the season.
And the team’s record is 15-21, currently good for 11th place in the East.
