Paul George talks pressure on young Sixers backcourt in Celtics series

BOSTON -- As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for Round 1 of the playoffs starting on Sunday afternoon against the Boston Celtics, there will be a lot of pressure on the young backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to lead the way on the offensive end.

Maxey averaged 30.0 points, 8.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 51.4% from deep in four games against the Celtics while Edgecombe averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 43.5% from the floor and 41.2% from deep in those games. The Celtics do struggle with smaller, quick, shifty guards, and the Sixers will need to lean on them.

However, Paul George is here to provide some heavy lifting and give the Sixers some help on the offensive end. He doesn't want too much pressure on them.

"I think they've shown it over the course of the 82 season," George said of the backcourt. "I think, obviously, Tyrese has been having these conversations about where he's at because of his growth and how much he's improved from last season to this season. So he's proven he's gotten better. He's been consistent all season long, and so I don't see no difference going in the playoffs."

Obviously, this will be the first time Edgecombe will be in the playoffs. He has proven himself all season long and has been terrific in big moments. Therefore, he will be fine for this upcoming playoff series. George doesn't want any added pressure for him.

"VJ, I think the media, you guys have witnessed just his maturity, his growth on the court, and I don't think that pressure needs to be thrown on him as a rookie going into his first playoff experience, but again, he's proving that," George added. "He's playing at a high level, and he's consistent for it."

At the end of the day, the Sixers will, obviously, be relying on them a bit on the offensive end, but Philadelphia will look to the veterans to lead the way and give the youngsters the support they need in this instance.

"So, man, those two, they just got to continue to do what they do," George finished. "We got to continue to help them and be a support system for those two. So for this to be a ‘they have to, kind of, you know, lead us, or, you know, take their game to another level’, man. They just got to stay consistent where they at. We just got to get it more."

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Paul George talks pressure on young Sixers backcourt in Celtics series