George’s Tough First Season in Philly Sparks Harris’s Social Media Comeback

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Paul George’s first season with the Philadelphia 76ers has not gone as planned, leading to fan disappointment and criticism. Tobias Harris, whom the Sixers traded to make room for George, is now making light of the situation on social media.

During a recent episode of his podcast, George recounted an encounter with fans while stuck in traffic after the Philadelphia Eagles‘ NFC Championship victory on Jan. 27. He noted how one fan humorously suggested the team should have kept Harris instead of acquiring him.

“As soon as I roll the window down, they are like this,” said George, mimicking the fans. “One [person] said, ‘We could have kept Tobias if you are going to do this [expletive].’” George acknowledged the jab, saying, “It was funny, but it’s like some [expletive] you take to the heart. Like, ‘You are right. Facts. I got you.’”

In response, Harris took to social media with a playful jab of his own, referencing the Sixers’ poor performance since the Eagles’ championship win. After pointing to the team’s dismal record of 4-27 since that day, he posted laughing emojis and a picture of himself enjoying a cigar, emphasizing how well he has performed as a key player for the Detroit Pistons.

Harris, who was instrumental in helping the Pistons improve their record to 44-38 in the 2024 season, contrasted his successful run with George’s struggles. George averaged just 16.2 points per game this past season, his lowest since he entered the NBA. Harris had a standout season, averaging 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in the playoffs before the Pistons lost to the New York Knicks.

George’s tenure with the Sixers has been marred by injuries and performance issues. He missed significant time due to lingering knee and groin problems, which he addressed leading up to the end of the season. He admitted to the difficulties he faced both on and off the court during this challenging time.

“To be honest, it was one of the toughest seasons for me,” George said in April. “The injury stuff…was some stuff I didn’t necessarily know I had going on.” He expressed optimism about returning healthier next season, hoping for a resurgence.

Despite Harris’s playful trolling, the long-term question remains whether George can live up to expectations next season, or if he will continue to face criticism from fans.