Three 2023-24 All-Stars who have seen huge drop-offs in their numbers this season

Based on his current performance, Haliburton faces an uphill battle to secure another All-Star selection in 2025. Pacers fans will have to hope he finds a rhythm as the season progresses, or their squad could miss the postseason entirely. 

Paul George

George has found it difficult to stay on the court this season, dealing with a hyperextended knee on two separate occasions. However, even when healthy, his impact has been underwhelming. 

In the eight games he’s played, the Philadelphia 76ers have posted a dismal 1-7 record, and George has averaged just 14.9 points per contest on a rough 38.3% shooting clip from the field. Making matters more alarming, the Sixers have been 13.2 points worse per 100 possessions with him on the floor. 

The 76ers’ season has been plagued by injuries and chemistry issues. While Embiid has faced significant scrutiny for Philly’s locker room difficulties, it may be time to take a closer look at George. Despite playing alongside several future Hall-of-Famers — including Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard — George has never come close to capturing a championship. Teams consistently seem to underperform with him on the roster during the postseason, and whispers of attitude problems have dogged him for years.

One particularly damning report from 2020 painted a troubling picture during his tenure with the Clippers. It detailed how George and Leonard were granted significant control over the team’s practice and travel schedules, often leaving their teammates frustrated. Both players reportedly delayed postgame media availability for up to 45 minutes, forcing other members of the squad to stay late and shoulder extra interview responsibilities. Additionally, they were said to dictate when they played during games, a move that further strained team cohesion.

Bam Adebayo

Adebayo’s production has taken a noticeable dip this season, with his points (16.5) and rebounds (9.6) declining. Known for his efficiency as a career 54.3% shooter, Adebayo is connecting on just 42.4% of his attempts this year. 

One reason for Adebayo’s struggles might be head coach Erik Spoelstra’s effort to streamline the Heat’s offense, cutting down on mid-range shots, particularly from the elbows. This is an area where Adebayo has thrived in the past, but as Tyler Herro mentioned to reporters during the preseason, he didn’t see a single mid-range jumper in practice, signaling a dramatic change in the team’s offensive approach.

Thus far in 2024-25, Adebayo is launching 2.7 three-pointers per game — more than 10 times his career average — and connecting on just 34.2% of his attempts. On a Heat team struggling to find its footing at 7-7 in the weakened Eastern Conference, Adebayo looks far from the All-Star we’ve come to expect.