Last Tuesday, Paul George joined his new Philadelphia 76ers teammates in the Bahamas for their training camp, marking his first experience working with head coach Nick Nurse. This camp was Nurse’s second as the leader of the Sixers, but for George, it was his introduction to Nurse’s coaching system, having recently joined the team. After participating in five practice sessions under Nurse, George shared his positive impression of the coach, highlighting his straightforward approach and ability to bring out the best in players. George noted that Nurse is honest, dedicated to hard work, and has already built a strong team culture within the organization.
Coming from the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played under NBA Finals-winning coach Ty Lue, George is no stranger to working with high-level coaches. While he achieved individual success with the Clippers, and during his earlier stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, George couldn’t help his team advance beyond the Western Conference Finals. Now with the 76ers, George begins a new chapter in his career, aiming to help Philadelphia push past their struggles in the playoffs. The Sixers were knocked out of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs last season, and George is expected to play a critical role in helping them overcome that hurdle.
As a major part of Philadelphia’s plans, George joins a roster that remains heavily focused on running its offense through former MVP center Joel Embiid. However, George will be a crucial complementary piece to Embiid, alongside rising star Tyrese Maxey, as the team looks to build a more balanced and dynamic offense. The addition of George is seen as one of the most significant moves for the Sixers this season, just as the acquisition of Nurse was a pivotal moment last year.
Throughout his 14-season career, George has been a reliable and consistent performer, having started 819 games. Over that span, he has averaged 23 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game, while shooting an impressive 39 percent from beyond the arc. Last season, he set a career-high by shooting 41 percent from three, while also posting 23 points per game for the Clippers. In the playoffs, he contributed 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
As George enters his 15th NBA season, Nurse will have the opportunity to develop strategies that maximize the star wing’s talents. With both Nurse and George now part of the Sixers’ roster, the team’s aspirations for a deep playoff run and a potential championship are higher than ever.
