Paul George’s return to L.A. was a rollercoaster of emotions, and it had everything from cheers to jeers.
Back in the City of Angels
Paul George made his way back to Los Angeles, but this time he was rocking a Sixers jersey. Facing off against his old squad at the shiny new Intuit Dome, George and the 76ers fought tooth and nail but fell short, losing 110-108. Despite the defeat, George insisted there were no hard feelings about not extending his stay with the Clippers. He said his bond with owner Steve Ballmer was solid, though he was caught off guard when things didnโt work out. Instead, he inked a massive four-year, $212 million deal with Philly. Not too shabby, right?
Setting the Record Straight
George wanted to clear the air about his Clippers exit. He felt the narrative got twisted about his relationships with the Clippers’ brass. “I mean, they were awesome the whole time I was here,” he shared, reminiscing about his time in L.A. But when he hit the court, the fans had mixed reactions. Some were cheering, while others… well, let’s just say they weren’t as welcoming. “I mean, it’s stupid,” George said about the boos. “I was a free agent. It wasn’t something that I demanded a trade or went against the team.”
Paul George said he doesnโt understand the boos from Clippers fans.
โI mean itโs stupid. I was a free agent. It wasnโt something that I demanded a trade or went against the team… There were cheers. I appreciate them. Those were the ones I played hard for. The boos, I didnโtโฆ
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_)
The Business Side of Hoops
Before the game, Steve Ballmer weighed in on the situation, saying he wished George could’ve stayed but understood the team’s priorities. The Clippers had a busy summer, snagging Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, and Nico Batum. “We still have the ability to consistently make ourselves better,” Ballmer said. In my opinion, the Clippers are playing chess, not checkers. But hey, Paul thought Philly was the right move for him, and who can blame him with that contract?
A Bittersweet Farewell
Despite the drama, George was all class, acknowledging the business side of basketball and appreciating his time with the Clippers. The team even rolled out a tribute video for him, a nod to his efforts in taking them to their first Western Conference Finals in 2021. Itโs like breaking up but still staying friendsโawkward but respectful.
So, what’s next for Paul George and the Sixers? Can he lead them to glory, or will the Clippers’ decision to move on prove to be the right call? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the NBA never fails to keep us on our toes.
