After ending a 5-year stay under the light of Los Angeles, Paul George is poised to begin a new chapter in Philadelphia. The prospect of teaming up with the arguably best big man in the league, Joel Embiid, and exciting young blood, Tyrese Maxey was enticing enough for George. But the incentive added by a legendary figure was enough for Paul George to call the Sixers his new home. The legend in question is everyone’s favorite, Dr J, Julius Erving.

At the age of 34, exiting the playoffs in back-to-back years gave Paul George the starting point to think beyond the Clippers. His contract situation also poured gasoline into the burning flames of his desire to slip his first ring through his fingers. So when the 76ers came to his door with the proposal, there was only one answer; “Where do I sign?”

Paul George discloses Julius Erving’s influence on his decision

During the latest episode of Podcast P, PG opened up about his decision to leave LA. With testing time ahead for the Clippers, this was an opportune moment for Paul George to seize upon. He did just that and discussed how it all went down. When his co-host Dallas Rutherford asked him to disclose the behind-the-scenes details of his move, George gleefully obliged. “Yeah, we spent the weekend together down in Cabo, and I came back and I had that meeting with Philly that Sunday night. And David Blitzer came, Josh Harris, Elton Brand, Dr J. Bro, I had Dr J in my crib. That’s crazy,” George said.

“Peter Dinwiddie, Daryl Morey, just the whole, you know, majority of the Philly front office was there at the house. And so it felt good, man. Like I said, Dr J was in the crib. I know that was big for my dad.” We already know the result of the meeting, as the Clippers will look into the future without Paul George. But after his conversation with Dr J, PG knew what he wanted for his future. “So he brought up, you know, how he joined the team. They ended up getting to the championship, lost 1. Got to the championship again, lost. Got to the championship again, lost. Damn! And he was like, you know, we just can’t get over the hump. Then they go ahead and trade for Moses Malone and they win it,” George detailed the story he heard from Dr J.

The Sixers lost the 1977 NBA Finals to the Trail Blazers, they lost in the finals in 1980 to the Lakers before again losing it to the same team in 1982. Julius Erving was part of all the losses and then, in 1982, the Sixers signed Moses Malone and the team went on to win the championship that season by avenging their losses to the Lakers. “And he was like, that was the missing piece. Moses Malone. Oh, that’s good. He was like, P? I’m sold. You the missing piece. You the missing piece. Wow.” exclaimed Paul George after concluding the story.

The success of the Celtics paved the way for a new approach to the game. Sure, the Warriors of the last decade were the pioneers of it, but the Cs perfected with five equally talented ball-happy players. With the addition of PG, the Sixers took a step further in that direction. Joel Embiid, in his 9 seasons with the Sixers, failed to progress further than the conference semis and Paul George’s experience can push that up a notch. On top of George’s defensive skills, the Philly side will get his spacing ability and shooting from deep in clutch situations.

Last season George recorded a career-high 41.3% shooting from beyond the 3-pts arc which outshines Tyrese Maxey’s 37.3% success rate who was their most potent threat from the deep with 212 3-pts made. With an elite rim protector in Joel Embiid along with the tenacity of Kelly Oubre Jr. and Caleb Martin, things couldn’t be any brighter for the Sixers. The defensive problem remained persistent in the Clippers as the franchise was unable to progress any further in the post-season. The 4-time All-Defensive team player also touched on that matter to add a layer to his reason for leaving the LA franchise. 

Paul George reveals stale situation at Clippers

When asked about his reason for leaving the Clippers, Paul George did not leave any stone unturned. “I was pretty open on the conversation and the decision. I think, you know, stuff was kinda at a stale with Clippers, which opened me into, you know, looking at other teams, hearing other programs out,” George told his co-hosts. In the five seasons, George spent on West Coast, the Clippers only made one Western Conference Finals in 2021.

The last seasons were back-to-back disappointments with a first-round exit after failing to reach the playoffs altogether in 2022. So for George, the change in scenery might be a way to rejuvenate his stagnant career with the Clips. With Daryl Morey in a “win now” situation, George’s signing can be the last throw of the dice before the Collective Bargaining Agreement forces them to chop the 76ers squad. For the Clippers, there will be a change in the scene as well with their rebranding and move to a new home in Inglewood. But with Paul George changing allegiance, it can be a tough test for the LA side.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video