Paul George still wants Sixers to play better in one specific area

PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers head into the 7 vs. 8 play-in game on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic, they will need all hands on deck to get it done. Joel Embiid is not going to be available to clean up any mistakes the Sixers may make on either end of the floor.

In terms of the defensive effort, that means guys like Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., and the guards are going to have to bring a strong effort on that end. The Magic aren't an offensive powerhouse, but they can get going into a rhythm just like any other NBA team can.

After a win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the season finale on Sunday, defense is an area where George would still like to see improvement.

"I mean, we just got to raise the intensity," George said. "I think we have good defenders. I think we just gotta raise the intensity. I think we allow teams to play a little too comfortable. You see it in spurts at times when we're playing chaotic, desperate, and you see the intensity when we’re into bodies, pressuring, and we’re physical, but we need to do that more often."

To George's point, there are moments when the Sixers look like a lockdown defensive unit, but there are also moments when they struggle to get stops and it can cost them in certain games and moments. The defense has to be on the same page and on a string heading into the matchup with the Magic on Wednesday.

"That's how we need to start games off," George added. "Just getting into the ball and helping one another, being there for one another. So, it’s definitely in our wheelhouse. We show flashes of that. We just gotta do that consistently."

As for George himself, he ended the regular season on a high note with his scoring ability and the time he was able to take to get his body ready during his 25-game suspension. While he wants the Sixers to certainly take steps on the defensive end to improve, he is happy that he is relatively healthy to lead this group on the floor.

"Obviously, I want us to be playing a little better," George explained. "Again, I'm a defensive guy, so it irks me sometimes defensively when I don't think we're where we need to be, but as far as pure joy of playing basketball again, yeah, it's there. It's been fun, like I said, especially to start the year out, not all the way 100, but end the year closer to 100."

With a happy and healthy George, the Sixers can certainly make a push for a deep postseason run. While Philadelphia will certainly need to battle through a lot of adversity with Joel Embiid sidelined due to an appendectomy, having George in this state is a big X-Factor for the Sixers to get the job done.

"Everybody's noticed it," George finished. "I'm happier at home, my family, my parents notice it, my teammates notice it. It’s just a huge sigh of relief and weight lifted off my shoulders that I can just go out and focus on basketball and again, not focus on the rehab or something, not feeling 100 and then now I have to figure out how can I make up for whatever I'm losing or whatever is bothering me. So, it's just a great feeling all around."

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Paul George still wants Sixers to play better in one specific area