“I got to be aggressive. Regardless if it’s preseason or not, I’m trying to just build habits,” Paul George said after his debut as a Sixer against the Wolves. Although Philly lost 111-121, PG, who scored a team-high 23 points, had established himself as a leader on and off the court. George seems to have just one goal in his mind and the 34-year-old is intent on reaching that one way or another.

However, the 76ers hadn’t played him against their second loss against Boston for rest purposes. Will they repeat the same against the Atlanta Hawks matchup tonight? Currently, the team lists Paul George as day-to-day on the injury report. The Sixers had already made it clear that they wouldn’t play the franchise superstar, Joel Embiid, in any of the preseason games.

Tim Bontemps of ESPN tweeted that he is doing well on the “ramp up process for his left knee, and will continue to stay on an individual treatment plan to prepare for the upcoming regular season.” However, with Embiid confirmed to be ‘Out,’ and PG’s presence still unsure, the question of player availability comes to the forefront.

You might argue that the team does have other stars they can use to balance that. But that’s also another area Philadelphia is down on luck right now. Names that matter – Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Caleb Martin were all out for their matchup against the Cs for rest purposes. The three (four, including Paul George) remain ‘day-to-day’.

As for the Hawks, the 76ers will be their second opponent. After their 131-130 win over the Pacers in the preseason debut, Trae Young & Co. are hoping to continue the streak tonight. Considering the Sixers’ state right now, chances are Atlanta would easily be able to pull off a victory. Even if Bogdan Bogdanovic and Onyeka Okongwu remain sidelined.

Coming back to George, as mentioned above, the 9x All-Star did not move to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ purely for the financial benefits.

Paul George has no plans of taking a backseat in his quest for a ring as Joel Embiid is more than happy to do so

Aside from pointing out the expectation PG has for himself, the former Clipper also outlined what he expected from his teammates. “These guys have to get used to me. I got to get used to them. … everybody has to be themselves for this to work,” he further added. The addition of an All-Star caliber forward to a championship-ready Philly team is one that Embiid has been patiently waiting for a long time now.

Although Daryl Morey had asked the Cameroonian big man to trust him to build a contending team around Joel, he admitted that there were times when his “patience was tested.” However, Morey kept his word and got one of the hottest free agents of this offseason. And the said free agent is like a dog with a bone. With George and Maxey stepping up, the hope is they can keep Embiid healthy for the postseason.

Interestingly, the 2023 MVP had already made it clear on Media Day that he was open to taking a supporting role as he did in the Olympics. Furthermore, he had the utmost confidence in his teammates. “For me to be the decoy and allow them to you know just be themselves and allow them to do what they do best.”

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But Embiid assured that he would step up if the occasion demanded it. Ultimately, though, the Sixers have shifted their focus to the bigger picture. As such, they are open to accepting any roles that would ensure the team’s success.

Anyway, we can’t wait to see all three stars take the floor together soon.