Sixers’ Paul George says confidence hasn’t wavered despite ‘rock bottom’ season

Paul George’s status for opening night remains unclear as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. But the 76ers star says his confidence hasn’t wavered.

“Again, getting healthy, I’m the Paul George that the Sixers went out and signed,” George said, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I do think I’ve still got a lot of game in me. Playing at a high level, that’s still who I am. I’ve got to get to that point.”

George underwent surgery on his left knee in mid-July and has yet to be cleared for contact. He’s been limited to individual work through the first week of training camp.

The 34-year-old admitted he expected to be further along by now but suffered another setback during an offseason workout.

George appeared in just 41 games last season, his first in Philadelphia after signing a four-year, $211.5 million deal. He battled a string of injuries — from a hyperextended knee to groin soreness and ankle issues — before being shut down in mid-March.

The Sixers are giving him time to get back to full strength, and George said he’s feeling closer to his old self every day. He also added that he’s open to sliding up to power forward if that’s what the roster requires following Guerschon Yabusele’s departure in free agency.

“Last year was tough,” George said. “One of the toughest seasons I’ve been a part of, not just from a team standpoint, but from a personal standpoint. But from a motivational standpoint, it can’t get worse than last year, right?

“That was a rock-bottom kind of season. I think it was a disappointment, personally, for myself, and obviously for the fans here. But I do think there’s a lot to look forward to.”