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CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers will look to turn the page when they begin training camp on Saturday. The Sixers had a miserable 2024-25 season as injuries decimated the roster and led to a 24-58 season in which they were expected to contend for a championship after adding 9-time All-Star Paul George to the roster.
George had a tough season as he was limited to only 41 games and saw his overall numbers and shooting percentages drop across the board. He was slowed by a variety of injuries and it showed as he was clearly not the same player he has been throughout his career. It was an overall tough season for him and just about everybody.
"Last year was tough," George explained. "One of the toughest seasons I’ve been a part of, not just from a team standpoint but from a personal standpoint. But from a motivational standpoint, it can’t get worse than last year, right? That was a rock-bottom kind of season. I think it was a disappointment, personally for myself, and obviously for the fans here. But I do think there’s a lot to look forward to."
George underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in the offseason and will be looking to get healthy for Philadelphia. He knows he still has a lot to help this group, but when also considering he is entering year 16, he knows he has a lot to teach the youngsters. That is something to think about with training camp set to begin on Saturday in terms of his physical state and training camp.
"I think it’s everything," George said. "Again, getting healthy, I’m the Paul George that the Sixers went out and signed. I do think I’ve still got a lot of game in me. Playing at a high level, that’s still who I am. I’ve got to get to that point. I don’t think I’ll be a part of camp going into it, but I do have a voice and a part in the team to help the young guys. I plan on being both."
The Sixers will need George to get back healthy and push them forward as they try and get over the hump in a wide-open Eastern Conference. While he may not practice much in the early part of camp, it does appear that he's close and should give the Sixers the boost they need on the perimeter.
"Everything besides full contact," George explained. "I’m in the weight room, I’m lifting, I’m working out every day. I’m on the court. Not ready to start the full ramp-up of conditioning on court with running and stuff like that, but I’m on the court, I’m working out. I’m doing stationary drills ... one-to-two dribble moves. I’m still able to move and be active on the court, I’m just not ready to be a full-on contact participant right now."
In terms of what the next steps are, George said a phrase that many are probably tired for hearing: "ramp up". That will certainly be something he will be focusing on in the early going part of the season.
"Just continue to progress, ramp up," George said of what comes next. "There’s been no swelling. The swelling’s actually been going down as I’m ramping up, so that’s the best possible news, but I don’t think there’s a timeline. The timeline is just how the body is doing as we’re ramping up the work. And again, no swelling is showing up and we’re in a good place to see where I’m at that there and be evaluated."
The Sixers will begin training camp on Saturday and Sunday before heading out to Abu Dhabi for their two preseason contests with the New York Knicks.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Paul George confirms he won't fully practice at start of Sixers camp
Continue reading...
George had a tough season as he was limited to only 41 games and saw his overall numbers and shooting percentages drop across the board. He was slowed by a variety of injuries and it showed as he was clearly not the same player he has been throughout his career. It was an overall tough season for him and just about everybody.
"Last year was tough," George explained. "One of the toughest seasons I’ve been a part of, not just from a team standpoint but from a personal standpoint. But from a motivational standpoint, it can’t get worse than last year, right? That was a rock-bottom kind of season. I think it was a disappointment, personally for myself, and obviously for the fans here. But I do think there’s a lot to look forward to."
George underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in the offseason and will be looking to get healthy for Philadelphia. He knows he still has a lot to help this group, but when also considering he is entering year 16, he knows he has a lot to teach the youngsters. That is something to think about with training camp set to begin on Saturday in terms of his physical state and training camp.
"I think it’s everything," George said. "Again, getting healthy, I’m the Paul George that the Sixers went out and signed. I do think I’ve still got a lot of game in me. Playing at a high level, that’s still who I am. I’ve got to get to that point. I don’t think I’ll be a part of camp going into it, but I do have a voice and a part in the team to help the young guys. I plan on being both."
The Sixers will need George to get back healthy and push them forward as they try and get over the hump in a wide-open Eastern Conference. While he may not practice much in the early part of camp, it does appear that he's close and should give the Sixers the boost they need on the perimeter.
"Everything besides full contact," George explained. "I’m in the weight room, I’m lifting, I’m working out every day. I’m on the court. Not ready to start the full ramp-up of conditioning on court with running and stuff like that, but I’m on the court, I’m working out. I’m doing stationary drills ... one-to-two dribble moves. I’m still able to move and be active on the court, I’m just not ready to be a full-on contact participant right now."
In terms of what the next steps are, George said a phrase that many are probably tired for hearing: "ramp up". That will certainly be something he will be focusing on in the early going part of the season.
"Just continue to progress, ramp up," George said of what comes next. "There’s been no swelling. The swelling’s actually been going down as I’m ramping up, so that’s the best possible news, but I don’t think there’s a timeline. The timeline is just how the body is doing as we’re ramping up the work. And again, no swelling is showing up and we’re in a good place to see where I’m at that there and be evaluated."
The Sixers will begin training camp on Saturday and Sunday before heading out to Abu Dhabi for their two preseason contests with the New York Knicks.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Paul George confirms he won't fully practice at start of Sixers camp
Continue reading...
