Nick Nurse and the Sixers are backing Paul George in turmoil
« Disappointed, of course. » That’s how he was Nick Nourse’s reaction when he heard the shocking news: 25 game suspension of Paul George for violating the league’s anti-doping protocol. The winger has admitted to taking a banned drug, apparently linked to mental health issues.
« Over the past few years I have spoken about the importance of mental health, and while recently seeking treatment for a personal problem, I made the mistake of taking the wrong medication “, the 35-year-old wrote.
At the press conference, the reporter, mentioning this issue, then asked the coach if he had a feeling that his player liked him in Philadelphia.
« I will not share anyone’s mental health issues with anyone. I think he’s doing well. It’s a real pleasure to coach him, he’s a great teammate. He is highly regarded by his partners, I think he shows excellent leadership », states the nurse.
The technician believes that he has adapted well to the change in internal configuration around Joel Embiid. ” He understood, ‘Okay, look, Tyrese (Maxi) is coming, Joel is coming back (from injury), this is what I have to do.’ And I think he did really good things, at a really high level. »
“He stepped into the shoes of a very good ‘player'”
However, he remains a far cry — averaging 16 points — from his past productions with the Clippers, Thunder or Pacers. So much so that the term “Big Three” has been used less and less to describe the Maxi-Embiid-George trio.
Obviously, the injury factor played a big part in the equation. “PG” could only play half of the matches (41) last year, and this year he won’t be able to do better because of the suspension.
« There were a lot of really unfortunate circumstances. But I also feel that he’s played pretty well this year, I’d say almost great, given that he’s played a key role for us and stepped into the shoes of a very good player for this team. I think he did what was expected of him. But yes, there were many twists and turns of fate », notes Nick Nurse.
The latter doesn’t seem too concerned about the players called up to make up for Paul George’s absence. Two of them, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes, combined for 29 points yesterday against the Clippers. And while he waits for the suspension to end, Paul George will remain in contact with the team, as he is still authorized to attend Sixers facilities, even without the ability to play.
« We will make sure that this continues, that he comes back. And I just said to him, ‘Listen, like all our players when we deal with things like this, we take care of them.’ We are here to help them. The organization will do everything it can. We are trying to put this behind us as soon as possible, but above all to overcome this period in the best possible way. », aims the coach.
| Paul George | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2010-11 | IND | 61 | 20:44 | 45.3 | 29.7 | 76.2 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 7.8 |
| 2011-12 | IND | 66 | 29:40 | 44.0 | 38.5 | 80.2 | 0.8 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 12.1 |
| 2012-13 | IND | 79 | 37:37 | 41.9 | 36.2 | 80.7 | 1.1 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 17.4 |
| 2013-14 | IND | 80 | 36:14 | 42.4 | 36.4 | 86.4 | 0.8 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2014-15 | IND | 6 | 15:10 | 36.7 | 40.9 | 72.7 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 8.8 |
| 2015-16 | IND | 81 | 34:48 | 41.8 | 37.1 | 86.0 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 23.1 |
| 2016-17 | IND | 75 | 35:51 | 46.2 | 39.4 | 89.8 | 0.8 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 23.7 |
| 2017-18 | OKC | 79 | 36:36 | 43.0 | 40.1 | 82.2 | 0.9 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 21.9 |
| 2018-19 | OKC | 77 | 36:54 | 43.8 | 38.6 | 83.9 | 1.4 | 6.8 | 8.2 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 28.0 |
| 2019-20 | LAC | 48 | 29:34 | 43.9 | 41.2 | 87.6 | 0.5 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 21.5 |
| 2020-21 | LAC | 54 | 33:43 | 46.7 | 41.1 | 86.8 | 0.8 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 5.2 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 23.3 |
| 2021-22 | LAC | 31 | 34:45 | 42.1 | 35.4 | 85.8 | 0.4 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 0.4 | 24.3 |
| 2022-23 | LAC | 56 | 34:38 | 45.7 | 37.1 | 87.1 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 23.8 |
| 2023-24 | LAC | 74 | 33:49 | 47.1 | 41.3 | 90.7 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 22.6 |
| 2024-25 | PHI | 41 | 32:32 | 43.0 | 35.8 | 81.4 | 0.6 | 4.8 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 16.2 |
| 2025-26 | PHI | 27 | 30:31 | 42.4 | 38.2 | 85.5 | 0.5 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 16.0 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-02-03 15:28:00
