It’s been a nightmare season for Paul George and the Philadelphia 76ers.
George was the much-ballyhooed signing for the 76ers, inking a four-year, $212 million contract to form a Big 3 alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The nine-time All-Star was supposed to be the final piece to make the team championship contenders.
Instead, it’s been a lost season as the 76ers are 20-37, have the sixth-worst record in basketball, and have lost eight straight heading into Wednesday night’s game against the New York Knicks.
Embiid has only played in 19 games due to a left knee injury, foot sprain, sinus fracture, and suspension. George hasn’t lived up to his contract, averaging just 16.2 points per game, his lowest full-season average since his second year in the league. Maxey has been carrying the load for most of the season, but there’s only so much he can do.
With the 76ers seemingly out of contention, George announced on his “Podcast P” show Wednesday that he is taking a break from hosting for this eye-rolling reason.
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George taking break from podcast to compete for championship
George revealed he’s taking a break because he wants to help the 76ers compete for a championship, despite his underwhelming play and the team being one of the worst in the league.
“It’s no secret this season, up to this point, man, it hasn’t been what we have envisioned,” said George. “I know my goal when I first signed with Philadelphia was to bring a championship to these amazing fans here. I still remain positive about that and that is still the case in where I’m coming from.
“I want to let the ‘Podcast P’ family know that after today’s episode with Dwight [Howard], I plan to take a break from the pod, just to focus on getting my body right, getting mentally right and, you know, help this squad make a push towards our goal to finish the season out, give ourselves a chance to be in contention to compete for a championship.”
George was utterly roasted on social media following his announcement.
After the season is essentially over, Paul George announces he will be solely prioritizing basketball over his podcast to get back in shape.
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) February 26, 2025
I am at a loss for words. You can’t even make up how insane this Sixers season has been.
pic.twitter.com/MEqPi8NgYn
Paul George announces that he will be load managing his ‘Podcast P’ episodes for the time being to help the 76ers make a championship push, via @PodcastPShow.
— APHoops (@APH00PS) February 26, 2025
"I want to let the Podcast P family know that after today's episode with Dwight I plan to take a break from the pod just… pic.twitter.com/XOqsrn99ql
Paul George saying NOW is the time for him to focus on the season and win some ballgames, when the season is basically over and winning will hurt the 76ers future, is so asinine I am at a loss for words.
— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) February 26, 2025
Paul George is so funny lmao pic.twitter.com/YKTjBF2nDA
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) February 26, 2025
Paul George is the funniest player in the league when he isn’t on your favorite team https://t.co/gIwWBn1ERw
— Emil (@emil_harb) February 26, 2025
Someone should tell Paul George we’re perfectly ok with him taking a break from basketball to focus on the podcast.
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) February 26, 2025
George’s reasoning doesn’t make much basketball sense given the 76ers’ position in the standings. Maybe he should’ve played better earlier this season?
On top of that, Philadelphia would lose their first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it doesn’t fall between one and six.
George’s contract is also virtually unmovable, as it’s hard to see a team taking on the last three years of an aging veteran’s deal after one of his worst seasons.
For Philadelphia’s sake, they need to lose as many games as possible to close out the season with a chance to land game-changer Cooper Flagg in the NBA Draft.
