Sunday stats: Paul George starts attacking downhill, and the Sixers have found a swarming defensive lineup

Paul George has finally found his stride in Philly, and it's about time. In their latest back-to-back against the Raptors, the Sixers' star showed he's capable of leading by example, using his speed and agility to attack downhill at will. The 6-9 shooting line from George against the Orlando Magic on Friday night was a stark contrast to his past mid-range jumper-heavy days with the Thunder.

This season has seen George become more selective with his shots, opting for easier opportunities in the paint rather than settling for contested pull-ups. His average shot distance is up, and he's now taking shots within three feet of the rim at about 10 percent – a stark improvement from last year's numbers.

But what's truly impressive is how this new approach has meshed with his supporting cast. A unit featuring George, VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Andre Drummond has been a dominant force on defense, holding opponents to just one made shot in their most recent outing.

Edgecombe and Grimes are a nightmare for opposing guards, applying constant pressure that forces them into difficult shots. Meanwhile, George's length and touch allow him to finish at the rim with ease, setting up his pull-up jumpers and drawing defenders off balance.

The result is a swarming defensive lineup that can neutralize even the most potent opponents. With this unit in play, Nurse has the confidence to let Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey rest together, knowing they're not being compromised by George's attacking prowess.

As the Sixers look to make a push for the Eastern Conference playoff picture, their newfound cohesion on offense and defense is undeniable. When all three stars – Embiid, Maxey, and now George – are clicking, the results are electric.

This lineup change has significant implications for Nurse's strategy, allowing him to pair up his best two players more often and unleash their lethal two-man game. With this dominant defensive unit in play, the Sixers have a legitimate shot at taking over the top seed in the East.

As George continues to assert himself as the team's leader, one thing is clear: his aggressive attacking style is exactly what the team needed to take them to the next level.
 
lolol I'm so hyped about PG's new game 🤩 he was just meh last season but now hes on fire 🔥! I love how hes taking it easy in the paint, it makes his shot selection way more reliable. And have u seen the defense with VJ and Quentin? they r a straight up nightmare for opposing guards 😂👊 Edgecombe and Grimes r so underrated atm. I also love how Nurse can finally give Joel & Tyrese some rest knowing George's got this 💪 it makes their unit unstoppable when all three stars are clicking 🚀💥
 
Man I'm lovin' this new vibe from PG 💪 he's finally found a way to use his speed and agility to dominate on the court 🏀 no more just jumpin' shots all day every night 👎 it's about time we saw him take over like that in Philly. And let me tell you, this new unit they got with Edgecombe, Grimes, Oubre Jr., and Drummond is straight fire 🔥 on defense 🚫 no one can get around them. They're like a swarm of bees 🐝 all over the court, makin' it impossible for opponents to score. And now that George is leadin' by example, Nurse can finally play Embiid and Maxey together without worryin' about PG settlin' for a mid-range jumper 😂 just imagine it: three stars goin' off at once 💥 this could be the real deal in Philly.
 
omg i just watched the most epic game of basketball last night 😲 and paul george is literally a god on the court he's so fast and agile, it's like he's gliding across the floor 🏃‍♂️, anyway back to paul, i think he's finally found his groove in philly and it's awesome to see him playing more aggressively, taking shots from closer range... but u know what would be even better if he had a jersey with a cool design? maybe one that says "pg" in bold letters or something 🤔
 
omg i'm SO hyped about PG's transformation he's literally the definition of clutch and i love how he's taking advantage of his size to finish at the rim 🤯🔥 meanwhile edgecombe and grimes are a straight-up nightmare on defense they're like the ultimate defensive duo 💪👊 and with joe embiid and tyrese maxey having more space to breathe, their chemistry is gonna take this team to the next level 🚀💥
 
omg yooo paul george is on FIRE 🔥🔴 this season! i'm lovin' how he's been takin shots from way deeper out and finishin at the rim with ease 🤯 his new approach is straight fire 💨 and it's killin it on defense too 👊 edgecombe and grimes are bringin that heat alongside him, and now they're gettin to see some rest for embiid and maxey 🙌 the sixers are lookin like a legit contender now 🏆 gotta keep watchin this one
 
🤔 I mean, it's about time Paul George stepped up and showed us what he's capable of! 🙌 That recent back-to-back against the Raptors was a major highlight – he was unstoppable on the court! 💥 The fact that he's becoming more selective with his shots and opting for easier opportunities in the paint is huge. I love how he's meshing with his supporting cast, especially Edgecombe and Grimes on defense. 🤝 They're like a well-oiled machine, making it impossible for opponents to score.

But what really gets me excited is that this lineup change could give Nurse the confidence to play Embiid and Maxey together more often. Can you imagine the two-man game between those three stars?! 🔥 It's going to be electric! 💥 And with George leading the charge, I think the Sixers have a real shot at taking over the top seed in the East. Bring it on! 😄
 
I'm loving how PG6's game has evolved 🤩🔥 this season! It's crazy to see him ditch those mid-range jumpers and focus on getting to the paint, it's like a new man out there 💪. And that supporting cast is 🔒, Edgecombe & Grimes are a dream duo for opposing guards, while George finishes with ease 🎯. It's gonna be super interesting to see how this lineup plays out in the playoffs 🤔, I think they've got a legit shot at taking over the East 💥
 
The synergy between Paul George and his supporting cast is truly remarkable 💡. It's not just about George's individual prowess, but how he's meshed with the likes of VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes to create a formidable defensive unit 🛡️. The way they apply constant pressure on opposing guards forces them into difficult shots, while George's length and touch allow him to finish at the rim with ease.

The fact that this lineup change has given Nurse more confidence in pairing up his best players, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, is a testament to the team's cohesion 🔒. With all three stars clicking, the results are indeed electric ⚡️. It's also worth noting how George's new approach has made him even more effective on defense, while still being able to assert his leadership on offense.

Overall, this lineup change is a significant step in the right direction for the Sixers 🔄. With their newfound cohesion and dominant defensive unit, they're definitely in contention for the top seed in the East 🏆.
 
idk about all this hype around paul george...he's having a good run but let's be real, he's still got some kinks to work out 🤔...his 3pt game was always his weakness and it's cool that he's adapting but can he stay consistent? 🤷‍♂️...also, what about the other guys on the team? edgecombe and grimes are kinda one-dimensional in their playstyles...can they really keep up with george's pace? 💪
 
omg i cant even believe paul george is finally showing up on the court 😂🏀 he was so inconsistent in the past but now its like he has a new lease on life with the sixers! his ability to finish at the rim and draw defenders off balance is insane 🔥👊 and i love how he's playing more select shots, it makes sense that he would take those easier opportunities now. and can we talk about the defense? edgecombe and grimes are like two peas in a pod against opposing guards 🤣 and with george on the court, its like they have a sixth sense for shutting down opponents. i think this lineup change is gonna be HUGE for the sixers making it to the top seed in the east 🏆💥
 
[🏀🔥]
[Image of Paul George dunking with a bold " FINALLY" caption]
[🤩👌] [gif of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey laughing together, with a "Best two players now!" caption]
[💪🔴] [gif of the Sixers' defense swarming the court, with a "Philly's got game!" caption]
[📊🚀] [image of Paul George's shot chart, with increasing accuracy and distance marked in red]
[👏🤝] [gif of Paul George high-fiving his teammates, with a "Leadership 101" caption]
 
🤔 So I'm wondering, do you guys think the Sixers' new lineup with Paul George has them looking like a legitimate contender for the top seed in the East? 🏆 I mean, it's definitely an improvement from last season, but are they gonna be able to keep up with teams like Milwaukee and Boston on a consistent basis? 💪 Also, what do you think about the way coach Nurse is playing his stars - does he have to let them play together more often or will this new lineup hold its own against anyone? 🤝
 
I'm loving this new chapter for PG13! 🚀 The stats are insane - 50% FG and 40% 3PT from 10-15 feet out 📈. He's taking advantage of his length and speed, which is perfect for the Sixers' fast-paced offense. 👍 I mean, who wouldn't want to see him finish at the rim with ease? 🤩 The defensive unit is looking solid too - holding opponents to single-digit FG% is no joke 💪. With Embiid and Maxey playing more relaxed games, it's giving Nurse a lot of confidence to make some bold lineups. 🔮 The 6-9 shooting line from PG13 against the Magic was insane! 🎯 I'm not surprised he's taking shots within three feet of the rim - it just makes sense for his game. And let's be real, this is exactly what we needed to see more of - a dominant leader like PG13 taking over games. 💥
 
I mean, I love Paul George's new approach on offense 🤩, but can we talk about how slow the game is getting? Like, we're in 2025 and it still takes forever for players to pass the ball after they get past their defender 🕰️. It's like they're playing a different sport or something! And don't even get me started on the lack of creativity from the coaches 🤯. I mean, come on, we know Paul George is capable of leading by example now, but can we please just give him some space to operate and make some highlight-reel plays? 😂 It's like they're just phoning it in this season ⏰.
 
I'm so down for this lineup change 🤩... and honestly, I was saying it last season that PG needs to be more aggressive on offense 🚫, but nobody listened 🗣️... now he's finally showing us what we've been wanting from him all along 😎. This newfound cohesion is giving me life 💥! The way the team can shut down opponents with that defensive unit is pure magic ✨. I think Nurse has won the lottery with this lineup change, and it's gonna take the Sixers to new heights 🚀... only thing I'm worried about now is how they're gonna handle the pressure of playing in a playoff series 🔥!
 
🤩 finally, george is getting it done! he was holding us back for far too long with those jumpers 🚫💔 this new approach of his is giving me LIFE 💥 and let's be real, how good are we gonna be when all three stars are clicking? 🤯 embiid, maxey, and now george - unstoppable 🔄 it's about time paul stepped up and led the team to victory 🔥
 
Wow 🤯 The 6-9 shooting line from Paul George against the Orlando Magic was insane 🚀 he's finally found a way that works for him and it's great to see him being selective with his shots now 👍 it makes sense why the team is clicking now that he's leading by example 💪 their defense has looked unstoppable with him on the floor 💥
 
The emergence of Paul George as the primary scoring threat for the Sixers has been a game-changer 💡, allowing Nurse to pair Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in key situations 🤝. By taking shots closer to the rim, George is creating space on defense for Edgecombe and Grimes to wreak havoc on opposing guards 🔥. It's no surprise that this lineup change has catapulted the Sixers into playoff contention 📈. The cohesion between offense and defense is remarkable, and with George leading by example, it's hard not to get excited about their chances of taking down the top seed in the East ⚔️.
 
OMG u gotta love Paul Georges vibes rn 🤩! He's finally found his groove with Philly and its so satisfying to watch him dominate on the court 🏀. I mean, who wouldn't want a 6-9 shooting line? 😂 The way he's taken control of the game with his speed and agility is just genius 💡. And let's not forget how well he's meshed with his teammates - Edgecombe, Grimes, Oubre Jr., and Drummond are all on fire 🔥! Their defensive unit is UNBEATABLE 🤯! This lineup change has got me hyped for the Sixers' playoff push 💪. With George leading the charge, they've got a legit shot at taking over the top seed in the East 😎.
 
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