Paul George’s first season in Philadelphia was supposed to mark a new chapter — a veteran star joining forces with All-Star center Joel Embiid and emerging guard Tyrese Maxey to chase a title. Instead, it became one of his career’s most forgettable campaigns.
Limited to just 41 games due to nagging injuries, George averaged 16.2 points per game, his lowest output since an injury-shortened 2014-15 season. While Maxey flourished and Embiid battled his own struggles, George’s presence often felt muted after being hyped before the season as the Sixers’ missing piece.
More visible than his play on the court was his continued work off it: hosting ‘Podcast P with Paul George’ each week, which drew constant criticism from fans who questioned where his focus truly was.
Paul George Criticizes Modern Defense — Fans Turn the Spotlight Back on Him
This week, George stirred the pot again on his podcast by saying that defensive stoppers in the league are a thing of the past.
“So, you know, our league—the days of stoppers, those are pretty much gone,” George said. “The TAs [Tony Allen types], you know, even myself—I call myself a defender—there’s guys that I can’t do anything with. I just have to hope I’m there enough for this to be a tough shot for him. He might make the shot, but I did all I could to make it a tough possession for him. You just got to tip your hat.”
Paul George says the days of lockdown defenders are gone and that you can’t really do anything against players in the league today
“So, you know, our league—the days of stoppers, those are pretty much gone. The TAs [Tony Allen types], you know, even myself—I call myself a… pic.twitter.com/QOBKhWG5W5
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
The reaction online was immediate and merciless.
“Career poor defender says defenders don’t exist,” one fan posted.
Another added, “That Damian Lillard game winner changed this man forever.”
That Damian lillard game winner changed this man forever pic.twitter.com/MvN9OgmrRx
— Elon Gerberg | My clients get🔝 💰 for 🏢 (@ElonGerbergROI)
“Or more like YOU can’t stop anyone,” one fan fired back.
The replies piled on: “My favorite podcaster plays basketball?” And another fan added, “Just making excuses for getting cooked.”
Just making excuses for getting cooked
— Ben Timofeyev (@BenTimofeyev)
George’s comments didn’t just trend — they stirred up an old debate that still hits home for a lot of people around the league. Coaches, scouts, and even longtime fans weren’t buying it. The NBA might be faster and more offense-driven than ever, but to say real defenders are gone? That just doesn’t ring true.
New Orleans’ Herb Jones, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, and Oklahoma City’s pair of Lu Dort and Alex Caruso have all earned reputations as relentless, defensive-minded pests. Houston’s Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks deserve some consideration for being strong perimeter defenders.
However, the offensive requirement for today’s top defenders means they also must be able to space the floor or risk being played off the court. NBA rosters no longer make room for pure stoppers who offer little on the offensive side of the floor. In that context, George’s larger point holds some truth: the archetype of the one-dimensional lockdown defender is fading.
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But for Philadelphia fans, the message — and the messenger — fell flat. George, expected to be a cornerstone of a title run, offered more headlines than heroics and ended the season in street clothes as the Sixers missed the playoffs.
