In recent years, the Philadelphia 76ers have faced a series of disappointments. Not only did they fail to reach the NBA Finals despite having a promising squad, but they also experienced repeated conflicts with star players. Whether it was Jimmy Butler feeling undervalued, Ben Simmons refusing to suit up for them, or James Harden disappearing in clutch playoff games, the team has faced numerous challenges.
The concerning situation has prompted Draymond Green to issue a stern warning to Paul George, emphasizing the necessity for the nine-time All-Star to live up to the expectations and deliver for the franchise, as the fanbase has run out of patience for another to acclimate.
Draymond's warns PG13
Having last won a championship four decades ago, it's no surprise that the Sixers are desperate for success at this point. After experiencing repeated setbacks in the Joel Embiid era, with the squad failing to advance past the second round of the playoffs in the last seven years, fans have ultimately grown tired of experimenting with different star players on the roster.
So, when they signed a 34-year-old PG13 to a four-year, $211 million contract, expectations were naturally high for him to be the perfect supporting star. Reflecting on this, Green emphasized how the 6'8" forward is required to bring out his 'A-Game' every night if he wants to avoid falling out of favor with the Sixers fans.
"He better play well or they're going to crush Paul George if he don't play well, oh my god. You know why they gonna crush Paul George if he play there? If he don't play well? Because they already got a nasty taste in their mouth from their last three that they had," Green said, via ClutchPoints. "They never felt like he brought it, so that's why, Paul George better play well."
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George cannot repeat his wrongdoings in Philly
As the former DPOY rightly mentioned, Paul must avoid repeating the same mistakes he made with the L.A. Clippers, particularly regarding injuries. Having played 60 or more games just once during his five-year stint with the Clippers, this level of availability wouldn't be tolerated by 76ers fans, especially considering Embiid's recurring health issues during the Playoffs.
While the situation is a golden opportunity for George to finally clinch his much-desired Larry O-Brien trophy and rise back to All-NBA status, Paul's failure to justify his hefty salary slip could also be the beginning of his journeyman career. This is particularly accurate considering how adept 76ers fans are in diminishing the morale of their own star.
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