WATCH: Daryl Morey Says 76ers Are Coming for Celtics’ NBA Title After Paul George Contract
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Daryl Morey certainly isn’t shying away from expectations for the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the 2024-25 campaign after adding Paul George.
In fact, the champion Boston Celtics are firmly in his sights.
“Obviously you’ve got to give the Celtics their credit,” he said during an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic. “They won the title. They’re an excellent team. They brought everybody back. They’re the target, but we don’t feel like we give up anything to them. We’re going to be coming to take the title away from them.”
On paper, the 76ers are certainly one of the top challengers to Boston’s throne in the Eastern Conference.
Joel Embiid is just one season removed from his 2022-23 MVP and remains one of the best players in the league when healthy. Tyrese Maxey is becoming an elite guard who made his first career All-Star Game while averaging 25.9 points per game last season. And George is still one of the better two-way forwards in the NBA.
While George is 34 years old, the nine-time All-Star was largely excellent for the Los Angeles Clippers last season while averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
It is quite the Big Three, and depth pieces such as Kelly Oubre, Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry and even rookie Jared McCain can all be impact players.
There are still concerns, such as Embiid’s ability to stay healthy, but there is enough firepower to at least challenge the Celtics.
The problem for Philadelphia and the rest of the league, though, is just how loaded Boston will once again be after winning the championship. It brought back all of its main playmakers in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Al Horford and, unlike this iteration of the 76ers, has proven it can deliver on the sport’s biggest stage.
Philadelphia hasn’t made it past the second round of the playoffs since Allen Iverson was leading the way in 2001. Adding George elevates the ceiling, but there are still multiple steps to take if it is going to do what the Celtics just did last season.
At least Morey isn’t short on confidence.
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