Ex-NBA Star Claims Paul George’s $212 Million Deal Cannot Save Joel Embiid and Co. From Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers finally succeeded in their quest to surround Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with another star. It seems the team was done with just making it to the playoffs and then facing an early exit. And as a result, the Sixers now have what is likely to be their Big-3 (Paul George, Maxey, and Embiid). But is this trio sufficient to outshine last season’s champions, Boston Celtics? Appearing on an episode of the Club 520 podcast, Jeff Teague has given his opinion of this.

Teague faced the question of if the new Sixers trio is the best Big 3 in the league. “Hell no. They got the best big man… Tyrese Maxey is a good guard, but I just don’t think they got enough to beat the Celtics,” Teague said on the Club 520 podcast. It is worth mentioning the Boston Celtics won their first championship since 2008 this year. And Jayson Tatum and Co. themselves had been facing criticism. But now, with a championship to their name, everyone seems to be favoring them.

So much so that ex-Celtics star Paul Pierce, in a recent episode of The Truth Lounge, snubbed the entire Eastern conference against the Celtics. But even he gave the 76ers consideration on the condition that George lands on the team. Although Embiid will still be the focal point of the 76ers’ offense, he will have a lot of relief as George can divert the defensive attention onto him. Being a 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team and 2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team player, the 9x All-Star also brings a certain defensive value with him.

As for the stats, Paul George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season with the Clippers. It includes his career-high 41.3% 3-point shooting percentage and 47.1% field goal percentage. Further, his ability to play alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden should help him with Embiid and Maxey as well. This makes it clear why the 76ers went to the extent of a $212 million, 4-year deal with George.

The franchise also offered a $204 million, 5-year contract extension to Maxey. Embiid had a $213.8 million extension contract back in 2019. And now, for the first time in NBA history, three players on the same team are on $200+ million contracts. So 76ers’ championship aspirations from here on are quite clear.

Sixers’ championship odds rise after signing Paul George

As soon as the reports of George landing with Philly surfaced, the Sixers’ championship price at ESPN BET reduced from ’12-1′ to ’10-1′. Apart from this, the team’s Eastern Conference number also moved from ‘7-1’ to ‘5-1’.

After the George and Sixers news, the 76ers’ title price got updated to 8-1 and their East odds to 4-1. The franchise now stands at third-best odds to win it all. However, the Celtics topped the charts at 3-1 odds, with the Denver Nuggets grabbing the second spot.

The Sixers still trailing the Celtics brings Jeff Teague’s claim to mind. However, with this major surge in the odds, Pierce’s consideration of the Sixers possibly being a threat to the Celtics the next season also cannot be dismissed.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.