Paul George will see an increased workload this year, but it may not start with Monday’s preseason opener, writes Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times. As George enters the first year of his contract extension, the Clippers will count on him to provide more scoring, defense and leadership with Kawhi Leonard possibly out for the season. However, coach Tyronn Lue hasn’t decided who will play in the first preseason game, saying he wants to talk to “a couple of our guys and just kind of see how they feel.”
George, who dealt with a bruised bone in his right foot during the second half of last season, pronounced himself “pretty healthy” at Saturday’s practice. He told reporters that he took “a lot of time” away from basketball during the summer in anticipation of his increased workload.
George has also become more of a team leader, working out with several teammates during the offseason.
“I’ve grown in that area, just from the standpoint of being a little more vocal, and just wanting to be involved, wanting to put things together,” George said. “I definitely see myself growing in that area. But, again, all of it really came down to it just being organic. Fact of the matter, I like missed being around this group.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Kings coach Luke Walton is reviewing his options for a starting lineup ahead of his team’s preseason opener Monday, per Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes appear set, according to Anderson, so Walton’s decision will likely come down to whether he wants to start Buddy Hield in a three-guard approach or Marvin Bagley III in a more traditional set. Walton’s options stem from Barnes’ ability to handle either forward position. “There are definitely scenarios where (Barnes) could start at the 3 or the 4,” Walton said. “He’s one of those players that has the ability to do both of those things. He’s a matchup nightmare when he’s at the 4 and him and De’Aaron are able to play that 1-4 pick-and-roll, peel-out game, and he’s strong enough to guard a lot of 4s, so that’s definitely a possibility.”
- Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle examines whether Andrew Wiggins‘ vaccine decision could derail the Warriors‘ hopes of being title contenders. Wiggins missed Saturday’s practice with an undisclosed illness, and coach Steve Kerr said there was nothing new to report on his vaccination status.
- Former WNBA player Shay Murphy has joined the Lakers as a coaching associate, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
76ers have tanked Simmons value
According to Perkins, Simmons trade value is not there
Wiggins and Moody for Simmons
Philly is already dealing with an immature head case…why would they want to replace him with a different one?
If Wiggins cost GSW a playoff position you know all those including Green on the team would turn their back on him.
Not going to happen. Wiggins will get the vaccination.
Knowingly? Might wake up one day with a sore arm.
Wiggins already got the vaccination, it’s why he was “under the weather” according to Kerr. Kerr is not specifically allowed to say it out loud “Wiggins got vaccinated” but all his other verbiage around the situation points to that being true.
I’m sure Kerr is not happy with Wiggins. NBA should just suspend all unvaccinated players now. They will not get paid until they get vaxed. Make it easy for teams. You are not a team player if you waited till last minute to handle this. At least you could have been traded by now.
Clippers just have to play all out. Till Kawhi comes back. I think he’ll be back for playoffs.
Been saying since Hawks beat Sixers. Halliburton is the answer in Philly. He can be an allstar at PG. Get rid of Maxey too. Bagley, Buddy. Haliburton, #1 pick. Sixers are true contests now. For years.
Keep dreaming kings ain’t making the trade
Simmons is a cancer…..if he went to the Warriors, he would be unhappy playing third or fourth fiddle….the Warriors have been very successful over the years because their players have left their egos at home and have played as a TEAM.
Simmons is in the middle of a HOF career. You appear to be a “feelings first” type of person. The 6’11” Simmons with Draymond and on a superior culture with GSW would become almost-Giannis.
The 76ers talked about “the process” but thats all it was – a dumb buzzword with no substance behind it. Then hiring the coach who loves to throw his players under the bus to make himself look good was what broke Ben.
Ben is Philly’s fault and no one else’s. On many other teams he would thrive.
Hahahahahaha. Sorry I couldn’t make it past your first sentence.
It is difficult to take anything he says seriously. He’s convinced that Wiggins is already vaccinated despite the fact there’s zero evidence.
Turns out he was right.