The 76ers landed Paul George in one of the most impactful offseason moves around the NBA.
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We’re counting down 24 key storylines heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. Our senior analysts will dissect a new topic each day as we help you get ready for opening night on Oct. 22.
Here is storyline No. 4:
Which enormous offseason (76ers or Knicks) will pan out better for championship-starved fans?
There was one available player in 2024 free agency who loomed larger than the others, one name that deserved to be above the title, as they say in showbiz. Paul George was that guy, and when Philadelphia signed him away from the LA Clippers, the pieces finally fell into place for the 76ers.
That team already boasted 2023 Kia MVP Joel Embiid, one of the most dominant players in the NBA, and rising star Tyrese Maxey. Landing George, 34, a nine-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive selection arguably gave the Sixers the biggest Big Three in the league heading into this season.
The fit looked impeccable. Embiid flexes his size and strength, and Maxey leaves burn marks in his charges up the court and attacks on the rim. George seemed to be a perfect complement, a wing who can create his own shots, score in the mid- or long-range, find teammates with his passes, and get down and guard.
With new and holdover teammates — from Caleb Martin and Reggie Jackson to Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry — Philadelphia fans have visions of their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2001. Maybe something even loftier.
Clouds rolled in this week, unfortunately. First, the team shut down Embiid for the rest of the preseason, which could be an omen of injuries or at least discomfort to come. Then the oft-hobbled big man said he probably wouldn’t play both ends of a back-to-back schedule for the rest of his career. Next, George hyperextended his left knee against Atlanta on Monday, a reminder, regardless of the severity, of how long his medical chart is.
None of that precludes the Sixers from chasing down big things this season. But judging by the past and factoring in Embiid’s no-shows (on the court or off) for key moments, we’ll believe it when we see it from this crew.
New York, by contrast, overachieved last season, finishing second in the East at 50-32 behind Boston’s 64-18 record. Since then, Its roster reconfiguration has brought subtraction and addition, with the net result to be determined.
Karl-Anthony Towns is a gifted 7-footer offensively, as adept at hitting 3-pointers as he is scoring in the paint. Mikal Bridges, with re-signed OG Anunoby, gives coach Tom Thibodeau a pair of Doberman defenders to unleash against opposing wings. But center Isaiah Hartenstein is gone to OKC after being so helpful last season and Mitchell Robinson is hurt again. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo — the price for Towns — have Minnesota fans convinced the Timberwolves won the trade.
What the Knicks are not is soft, which swings the decision here. Teams typically take on the personality of their best players, and New York point guard Jalen Brunson is as hard-nosed and underdog as it gets, in line with Anunoby, Bridges, Josh Hart and its bench bigs.
With the smoke of their offseason maneuvers cleared, Philadelphia has more talent. But New York has more grit. The Knicks will last longer in the spring.
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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