Paul George found himself stuck in traffic during the Eagles’ Super Bowl celebration when a fan roasted him loud and clear: “We could’ve kept Tobias if you gon’ do this s—.” That jab hit right at George’s rough first season with the Sixers, especially after they let Tobias Harris go to the Detroit Pistons and offer George’s big contract.

Paul George didn’t let it bother him. He laughed it off and even gave Harris props for being a solid scorer before the trade. Since then, Philly fans have debated whether moving on from Harris to bring in George was the right call.

Then, after the Eagles’ parade, Tobias Harris broke his silence on Twitter with a simple but powerful message: “After the parade… 4-27,” alongside a photo of himself smoking a cigar. The “4-27” isn’t random — it points to the Sixers’ brutal record in the last 31 games of the 2024-25 season after letting Harris walk. They closed the year 24-58—marking their first losing season since 2017.

And the replacement? Paul George—signed to a $212 million bag—played 41 games, averaged just 16.2 points, and looked more like a decoy than a difference-maker. Injuries didn’t help, but when you hand out max money, the expectations aren’t “just stay healthy.” The expectations are wins. Postseason. Contention. None of that showed up.

Harris knew exactly what he was doing. He didn’t say, “Y’all fumbled.” He let the Sixers’ collapse do the talking. A subtle nod to the fan base that booed him, the front office that let him walk, and maybe even the media that constantly asked if he was worth the money.

And let’s not act like he disappeared in Detroit. Harris played 73 games, dropped 13.7 points and nearly 6 boards a night, and helped the Pistons get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Not flashy, but reliable. Professional. Exactly what Philly ended up missing once the wheels fell off.

The George signing? It was supposed to be that next-level move. Big-name boost to get Embiid and Maxey over the hump. Instead, they ended up worse than the Process-era squads they used to meme about. Philly fans didn’t just lose faith—they lost interest.

Bounce-Back or Breakdown? Paul George’s Next Chapter Is Crucial

Paul George’s injury history isn’t a new story — it’s been a constant hurdle since that brutal leg fracture back in 2014 that wiped out nearly an entire season. Since then, Paul George has battled fractured hands, knee issues, shoulder surgeries, and most recently, persistent groin and knee problems that limited him to just 41 games in 2024-25. That’s five out of six seasons with fewer than 60 games played. At 34, that kind of wear and tear isn’t just a nuisance — it threatens the explosiveness and agility that made him a two-way force.

Philly’s front office is right to lean heavily into load management. Paul George’s best shot at bouncing back isn’t by grinding through a full regular season, but by staying healthy and sharp for the playoffs. That means planned rest days, avoiding back-to-backs, and strict minute limits. But this strategy only works if the Sixers have reliable depth. If George goes down again, the team can’t afford to miss a beat. Role players and younger guys will have to step up big time.

And don’t forget the financial angle — George’s $212 million contract is one of the largest in the NBA. If he can’t return to near All-Star form, Philly could be stuck with dead money that limits their flexibility for years. The stakes are huge.

Beyond money, Paul George’s legacy is on the line. Another injury-plagued season risks turning “unlucky star” into “overpaid and past his prime.” But a strong bounce-back would cement him as one of the league’s most resilient vets.

For Philly, the clock’s ticking. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey’s primes won’t last forever. George’s health could decide if this core wins big or faces another painful rebuild. This season is more than a comeback — it’s a referendum on Philly’s whole PG gamble.