In a recent chat on his podcast, Clippers swingman Paul George opened up on his stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. While George admitted that he was initially happy to be home, fans in the city resented him for not being a Laker.
“I think initially, coming back to LA that was home. But it’s not the same love. Because when I was in LA, they said, ‘You should’ve been a Laker.’ It wasn’t no ‘Welcome to the Clippers!’ ‘We happy you in [Los Angeles] but you should have been a Laker!’ That’s all I was hearing… I’m on the B Team. That’s how the vibe and the love felt.”
Paul George:
“I think initially, coming back to LA that was home. But it’s not the same love. Because when I was in LA, they said, ‘you should’ve been a Laker.’ That’s all I was hearing… I’m on the B Team. That’s how the vibe and the love felt.”
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 23, 2024
Paul George reportedly left the Clippers after making “outlandish” contract demands. He had spent five seasons with the team and the Clippers sacrificed much to bring him abroad back in 2019. But as the “secondary” team in their own city, the situation was tough against the Clippers from the very start.
George, who was drafted 10th overall in 2010, rose to stardom with the Indiana Pacers and led them to prosperity in the East for several years. After a stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul finally landed where he always wanted to go: back home to Los Angeles.
The 34-year-old forward, who was born in Palmdale, California, was excited to return home and represent his roots. Unfortunately for the 9x All-Star, however, the Lakers’ blood runs deep in the city and they were unwilling to embrace a star who played for the Clippers.
As he continued to play out his contract, George’s hope was that his legacy would be secured by leading the Clippers to the Finals or the NBA championship. Instead, he failed to close the deal and only has a single Conference Finals appearance to show for his entire Clippers tenure.
So when it was time for George to decide on his future this summer, the 6x All-NBA player felt he was better off with a different team than trying to prove himself to a city that will never embrace him. When it comes to Los Angeles, after all, the Lakers will always be No. 1 while the Clippers will always be under their shadow.
Paul George Defines His Role On The New-Look Clippers
As a 14-year veteran and 9x All-Star, Paul George has been the top dog for most of his career. But now, ringless at 34, George will have to accept a new role if he wants to extend his career.
With the 76ers, Paul is expected to be the third option behind Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Specifically, he wants to help the team in late-game situations to take the pressure off the two stars.
“Paul George says he wants to be a late-game performer to take pressure off of both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey,” reported NBA insider Law Murray.
After his failure with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, George has embraced a brand new chapter as a co-star next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. While the 76ers do not offer the same bonuses as the Lakers, he can still find fame and fortune there provided he lives up to his standard as one of the best wing players in the game.
For now, with the odds stacked against him, faith is limited that Paul George can make it work with the 76ers. But he’ll have to adapt if he wants to save his legacy and make amends for his shortcomings in Los Angeles.
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