Stephen A. Smith Calls Out Paul George Amid Sixers' Struggles
Alright, let's talk about Paul George. The guy's had an incredible career, no doubt about it. But this season? Man, it’s been rough. The Philadelphia 76ers brought him in on a massive four-year, $212 million deal, expecting him to help lead the charge in the Eastern Conference. Instead, things have completely fallen apart, and Stephen A. Smith is not holding back.
George is putting up just 16.4 points per game this season, shooting 43.2% from the field and 35.8% from three. Not exactly the numbers you expect from a nine-time All-Star. And to make matters worse, the Sixers are sitting at a brutal 20-38 record. That’s not what Philly signed up for, especially after coming into the season with championship aspirations.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. George recently announced that he's stepping away from his podcast to focus on the remainder of the season. And while that might sound like a responsible move, Stephen A. Smith absolutely ripped into him for it. His issue isn’t that George is taking a break from his side hustle—it’s that he feels George should’ve been locked in from the start.
Also Read:- CM Punk’s WrestleMania Dreams Hang in the Balance—Will He Sell His Soul?
- Alex Pereira Reflects on Tough Battle with Khalil Rountree at UFC 307
Smith, who spent 17 years covering Philly sports, knows how passionate that fanbase is. And according to him, Sixers fans aren’t buying what George is saying. They’re asking, "Now you need to prioritize? Now you need to get ready? What were you doing before?" That’s a tough look, especially when the Sixers invested so much into him.
And let’s not forget, Joel Embiid, the heart and soul of this team, played just 19 games before being ruled out for the season with a knee injury. With Embiid down, this was George’s moment to step up, but instead, it’s been his least productive season since his rookie year. That’s not what Philly fans wanted to see.
Stephen A. didn’t stop there. He made it clear that George’s words send the wrong message. "So you weren’t ready to go? You weren’t focused? You weren’t dedicated?" That’s the perception now, and in a city like Philly, where fans demand 100% effort night in and night out, that’s not going to fly.
Look, Paul George is a great player. He’s had an impressive career, and no one is saying he can’t turn things around. But right now, this Sixers season is looking like an absolute disaster, and George is right in the middle of it. Whether he can bounce back and prove the doubters wrong? That’s the real question.
Read More:
0 Comments