“It’s therapeutic”: Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George defends his role in Podcast P amid his absence from the roster due to injury

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has faced growing criticism over his involvement in Podcast P, with many suggesting that his off-court media work has impacted his performance on the hardwood. On top of his performance, the 34-year-old has been riddled with injury as he was sidelined from the roster alongside his standout teammate Joel Embiid. George recently addressed the criticism over his podcast.Since launching Podcast P in 2023, George has used the platform to engage with fans, discuss the NBA, and provide behind-the-scenes insights into his career. However, some critics believe his podcast has been a distraction, particularly given his recent struggles with injuries and inconsistent performances.Addressing the backlash directly on his show, George pushed back against the notion that he isn’t fully committed to basketball."When I started my podcast, I knew there was going to be some backlash," George said via NBACentral. "I knew there were going to be people who had things to say about it: ‘He’s an athlete. He should be in the gym 24 hours a day.’ But to be honest, it’s therapeutic."He further shared that podcasting allows him to express himself in ways he otherwise wouldn’t."It’s a chance for me to talk about things that go on in sports that I probably would hold onto otherwise," he added.Previously, George took a hiatus from podcasting, setting his main focus is getting healthy and helping the 76ers make a deep playoff push.His first season with Philadelphia has been hampered by a lingering groin injury, limiting him to just 41 games. He is currently averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game— his lowest statistical output since his rookie season.With his body not at full strength, George previously announced that he was stepping away from Podcast P to focus entirely on basketball. Speaking in his final episode before the break, he reassured fans of his commitment to the Sixers’ championship aspirations."I haven’t been the healthiest, so it’s just been putting a ton of work towards getting my body as healthy as possible," George stated earlier. "The full focus is on being here, trying to turn things around, and getting this team together.""I know my goal when I first signed with the Philadelphia 76ers was to bring a championship to these amazing fans here. I still remain positive about that, and that is still the case and where I’m coming from," George said.Also Read: Paul George's wife Daniela George stuns in beach photos as Patrick Beverley's fiancée reactsGeorge made a promise to return to his podcast: "I look forward to us three being back together and doing this as we once started this. So we’ll be back on that note… In the meantime, y’all be easy. From Podcast P—love and peace." And he did. Following his injury, George resumed his podcast Podcast P with Paul George, which boasts over 785K subscribers on YouTube.