In the offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers beefed up their roster after signing nine-time All-Star Paul George.
With the move, the 76ers have assembled a “Big 3” that includes George, Tyrese Maxey, who they extended, and former MVP Joel Embiid.
One person responsible for the signing of George was 76ers legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who was part of the Sixers brass that met with George’s team during free agency.
On Thursday, Erving was at Roberto Clemente Park in Philadelphia, where the team partnered with Penn Medicine to refurbish the basketball court for kids in the neighborhood.
Erving, who won a championship with the 76ers in 1983, the last time the team won an NBA title, has high hopes for the Sixers next season.
“I think another year under Nick Nurse should bear fruit for the team,” Erving said. ‘I think if you can keep Maxey on the rise, he’s going to be the best point guard in the league. Joel can continue to be Joel; he doesn’t have to be anything else. We just need to get more regular-season games and more playoff games out of him. He needs to feel well in order to do that.”
In addition, Erving feels George can be the “X-Factor” for Philadelphia.
“Paul is kind of like an X-Factor for this particular team,” Erving said. He’s been that everywhere he’s been. He’s a quality guy who you know can score the basketball inside and outside.”
Last season, the 76ers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round, but that loss was due to Embiid’s injuries.
On paper, the Sixers look formidable and definitely a team that can contend for a championship, but they have to have health on their side, including Embiid and George, who have had health issues over the year. Dethroning the world-champion Boston Celtics won’t be easy; however, the 76ers now have a roster that can compete with them and the rest of the league.
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