2 days ago
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George on what a Pacers - Thunder finals means for the NBA
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George on what a Pacers - Thunder finals means for the NBA
It would be easy enough to be a bit salty to watch not just one but two of one's former team facing off in the 2025 NBA Finals while the team you're on now did not even sniff the postseason due to a litany of injuries. But that is not the point of view Philadelphia 76ers star forward Paul George had on a recent episode of his "Podcast P with Paul George" show when the topic of the finals came up.
There have been complaints about the small market nature of an Oklahoma City Thunder - Indiana Pacers finals matchup, but George actually pushed back on the notion that such an outcome was bad for the league -- and for a very unexpected reason. "I think this is great for the NBA," said George. "I think with what the owners have made it to where teams can't go after three star max contract guys anymore."
Pointing to the collective bargaining agreement's first and second apron penalties, the Sixers star speculated that this matchup is actually a sign of the times.
"I think with both of these teams, they fall under the first apron, and you're looking at where the NBA, I think, will be for the future -- you'll probably have two stars, he added, alluding to the Indy pairing of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, and the OKC duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
"They'll be able to put two stars together, but the importance of not only developing young guys, but going after guys that fit your team that plays their role," said George. And given what we have seen from ball clubs that have sacrificed depth for star power among the starters -- including his Sixers -- the Philadelphia forward might just have a point.
