Paul George did not hide the physical toll of his season as the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference playoffs by the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
The veteran forward made it clear that this offseason carries a different weight compared to recent years, especially with his body finally moving past constant recovery cycles.
“This summer, the rehabbing phase is kind of behind me,” George said. “So I can have a real summer of improving.”
He added that past years were defined by setbacks rather than development, noting, “I feel like it’s been stagnant the last couple years because of a surgery here or surgery there.”
George described the upcoming offseason as a turning point in his preparation and workload after multiple interrupted summers.
For the nine-time All-Star, one of the clearest focuses is regaining his trademark burst, something he believes shaped his identity as a scorer.
“I think it’s just figuring out if I can get that explosiveness back,” he said. “It limited me a lot this year with the ability to be explosive going towards the basket.”
He explained how that change affected his offensive balance. “The jump shot being the jab to set up the drive to the rim. I just felt like that wasn’t there this year.”
Despite the physical challenges, George emphasized the importance of experience for younger players on the roster, including rookie guard VJ Edgecombe.
“That’s for them. Everybody’s got their own journey,” George said. “I’m glad he got the experience of what a game seven feels like. What it feels like to go into a hostile environment.”
He added that early playoff exposure can shape long-term development. “The experience is what’s valuable,” he said. “He’s experienced it. So that’s the positive.”
George also reflected on the progression of Tyrese Maxey, pointing to his growth as a primary scorer and the adjustments defenses will now force.
“They’re trying to get the ball out of his hands,” George said. “Now he’s set a precedent that he can average 30 and he’s an elite scorer.”
The veteran forward noted that Maxey’s next step will come from adaptation. “That’s going to be what’s on teams’ boards, is to try to stop Tyrese.”
On his partnership with Joel Embiid, George highlighted how spacing and shot readiness influenced their effectiveness in pick-and-roll actions.
“I think we played great out of the pick and roll,” he said. “The more I was on the floor with him, the more his post ups… he was confident.”
He also credited Embiid with benefiting from clearer one-on-one situations when double teams were delayed.
George described his overall experience in Philadelphia as meaningful despite the team’s inability to reach its championship goal.
“It was great. The fans, the support,” he said. “They supported me through it.”
He acknowledged the shared frustration after another early playoff exit but stressed accountability and internal improvement moving forward.
“I don’t care about losing first round, second round, it doesn’t matter to me,” George said. “If you don’t accomplish that goal… New York was just better than us in everything.”
Looking ahead, George said his evaluation of the future remains open-ended as he processes the season.
“I haven’t really thought about that right now,” he said when asked about his next steps.
Still, he left no doubt about his immediate priority after a season marked by injuries and adjustments.
“I’m as confident as I’ve ever been,” George said. “For me, it’s just about being available.”
As the Sixers regroup after another postseason exit, George’s focus is shifting toward health, explosiveness, and a full offseason for the first time in years.
