🏀 Ambitious George | Sports Daily Newsletter

Paul George is taking a different approach to his offseason than he has in the past.

After lingering knee trouble led him to go through grueling rehabbing phases during his first two seasons with the Sixers, the nine-time All-Star is eager to spend this summer just working on basketball.

“It’s been stagnant the last couple years,” George said.

Due to health issues and a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy, George played in just 37 regular-season games in 2025-26. But his time away gave the forward additional time to heal, and it showed at the end of the season.

George averaged 21 points on 41.5% shooting from three-point range in the Sixers’ final 10 regular-season games. He flashed signs of his old, versatile scoring self.

Those results were the product of finally being physically equipped to spend extra time on the court. Now, the 36-year-old is ready to embark on an offseason of improving.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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The Eagles added edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to bolster a room led by Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith. Though his three-sack campaign with Minnesota last year didn’t measure up to the two previous seasons he cracked the 12-sack mark, the seventh-year veteran was still valuable for the Vikings.

Here’s what the film — and stats — say about Greenard’s addition to Vic Fangio’s defense.

🎉 Celebrating: The growth of girls’ flag football at the scholastic level, which was on display during the Eagles’ fifth annual flag football championship.

🤔 Wondering: Why Ben Simmons joined a professional sports fishing team — and how he won a championship in the Bahamas.

🏈 Reviewing: With a new offensive coordinator at the helm, let’s get into some of the biggest questions for the Eagles ahead of OTAs.

🎧 Listening: The wise words of Terry Francona on the unique challenges of managing in the crazed Northeast markets.

⚾ Reading: Tug McGraw’s 1980 World Series home jersey that a fan kept in his dresser is now being auctioned off.

Earlier this month, Don Mattingly offered Alec Bohm some words of advise while he was struggling, and it may have saved his season: Do nothing.

The interim manager sat the third baseman for two games, during then Bohm didn’t swing a bat, catch a grounder, or even hang around the batting cage. He entered Tuesday with a 1.231 OPS in 37 plate appearances since his two-day reset.

It’s too early to say Bohm’s slump is over, but his turnaround started in the manager’s office.

The Phillies’ five-game winning streak came to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Reds on Tuesday. The offense mustered just three hits without Kyle Schwarber in the lineup for a second straight game.

A year ago in April, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed plans to distribute $11 million in combined payouts to the Club World Cup’s 11 host cities. Philadelphia was among the cities expected to receive $1 million for “legacy initiatives.”

But as of now, only an undisclosed fraction of the funding for those initiatives has been disbursed. Ten cities, including Philly, are still waiting for a payout.

Longtime defenseman Erik Johnson almost took a job in the Flyers’ front office, but decided to try broadcasting and accepted an offer from ESPN.

Now, deep into his first year calling playoff hockey, Johnson is a “natural” on television and has been at the center of some of the most memorable broadcast moments this year.

Maybe in the near future the former No. 1 pick, who spent parts of his final two NHL seasons in Philadelphia, will find his way back to the city.

Last week, Sixers owner Josh Harris and business associate Bob Myers held a news conference that featured much doublespeak and no substance. They tried and failed to explain the reasons for dismissing 76ers president Daryl Morey. The Sixers owner has long wanted the Warriors front-office legend to fill the job as president, but Myers lives in Southern California and has no desire to return to the grind, writes columnist Marcus Hayes.

We asked: If you could be GM of a Philly sports team, which one and what would you change? Among your responses:

76ers and I would trade Embid. He is no good for the team if he’s not on the floor and he spends way too much time not playing for the money he makes. — Hal B.

Phillies have been my #1 favorite team since my first MLB game at Shibe Park in 1948. Phillies are obviously doing ok, but could be so much better. One priority I would have would be to overhaul the farm system and those who make player selections. Unlike the Dodgers who have always had the best minor league system, the Phillies rarely have ready to go players in their system to bring up. The Phillies left Aaron Judge for the Yankees to take in the draft while they took SS Crawford who they later traded to the Mariners. For trade deadlines or late season needs the Dodgers always have players in their system to use whereas the Phillies rarely do. — Everett S.

I would love to be the GM of the Phillies. I would look to infuse more speed and contact hitters into the lineup and bolster the bench with legitimate threats. Now we have Stubbs pinch running in the 8th inning? Otto Kemp a power bat on the bench? We have to do better! — Bob C.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Gina Mizell, Matt Breen, Marcus Hayes, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Ryan Novozinsky, Scott Lauber, Gabriela Carroll, Devin Jackson, Kerith Gabriel, Conor Smith, and Mia Messina.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

That’s it for me this week. Let’s hope for cooler temps and more quality baseball. Kerith will be back in your inbox on Wednesday. — Bella