Evan Turner. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Former Sixer warns team of building a 'soft' star duo

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/8/24

Former Philadelphia 76er Evan Turner played with Paul George on the Indiana Pacers during the 2013-14 season. Turner was a versatile forward and role-player under Frank Vogel. George, on the other hand, was the Pacers' star forward alongside defensive stalwarts Roy Hibbert and David West.

During his tenure with the Pacers, Turner believed George would disappear during big moments. As such, he believes the Sixers would be making a mistake if they coveted George during the upcoming free agency period.

"PG has a history has a history of not showing up, which is an understatement," Turner said. "... I've never met a human that would let a media rumor drive drive his energy or personality. Like somebody ... You know how soft that team will be if him and Embiid go together? That will probably be the most skilled duo ever, since Kobe and Shaq. Embiid would be hurt and PG would be Paul, though."

Paul George's former teammate, Evan Turner, says George has a "history of not showing up" and believes a duo of Paul George and Joel Embiid would be "soft."

“I never met a human that would let a media rumor drive his energy or personality…You know how soft that team gonna be if… pic.twitter.com/lgcSxxwvZT
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 8, 2024

Since joining the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, George has struggled with his availability. In the previous four seasons leading up to this one, he never cracked 60 regular-season games. This season, he played in 74, which is likely due to his contract being in its final year.

The Sixers are rumored to be interested in acquiring George this summer. At his best, he is one of the most skilled two-way forwards in the NBA. He is also a lockdown defender and a high-level offensive talent.

"PG shoots the ball 25 times a game, rightfully so," Roy Hibbert said during a recent interview. "But at the same time, I'm not going to get mad at him when I see him locking down and trying to get a defensive stop. I really respect those types of players"

Yet, if he cannot stay healthy and cannot raise his game in the postseason, Philadelphia could struggle to challenge the Eastern Conference next season.

Embiid has made it clear he wants to compete for championships. Embiid would hold George to a high standard. Whether he could live up to that standard would define how their partnership played out.

Either way, George is running out of time to become an NBA champion. If he leaves the Clippers this summer, partnering with Embiid could be his best chance of success, regardless of what Turner says.

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