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Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In his first game against the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome, Paul George received a video tribute, but also heard plenty of boos all night from The Wall in the new stadium.
Before an announced crowd of 15,627, George made 7 of 9 shots and had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals, but his former team defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 110-98.
George said he appreciated the tribute video and called the Clippers franchise “first class.” He said his return sparked a fair and divided reaction, but he didn’t understand or care about the boos after helping the Clippers reach their only Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021.
“It’s stupid,” George said when asked if he was surprised to hear boos after playing five seasons in Los Angeles. “I mean, I was a free agent, you know what I mean? It wasn’t something where I demanded a trade or went against the team here. I was a free agent. The team came up with something friendly and I did what was best for me in that situation.
“So there was cheers. I appreciate them. Those were the ones I played hard for. The boos, I didn’t understand them. I still don’t understand them when I go.” [back] to Indy, but it is what it is. They are sports. “I’m looking forward to coming back next year and getting more boos.”
After five seasons playing for the Clippers, George signed a four-year, $212 million max contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer. George said he wanted to remain a Clipper. But he wanted a no-trade clause along with a three-year, $150 million extension or a four-year max deal, and the Clippers refused to do either.
After George left, some Clippers fans were upset by comments he made on his podcast, “Podcast P with Paul George,” when he described returning to his hometown of Los Angeles to join the Clippers as if he were in the “B team.” ” because many Lakers fans would tell him that he should have joined the Lakers.
Some fans on The Wall, a section where the Clippers’ most ardent fans line up in unbroken lines behind the basket near the opponent’s bench, brought signs referencing George’s podcast. Several fans held signs that combined to read: “PG THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.”
George, playing in just his second game after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee late in the preseason, said he didn’t see many of the signs.
“Oh, well, I’m sure they’re probably all subscribers,” George said, referring to his podcast. “So it’s a win-win situation. I guess it’s two wins against The Wall.”
During the first half, when the Sixers had to shoot the basket next to The Wall, George made both of his free throw attempts. In the season-opening overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns, Clippers fans at The Wall successfully distracted Kevin Durant enough for him to miss a pair of free throws.
George said Wednesday morning that he doesn’t hold a grudge against the Clippers organization for not re-signing him. He cited his “impressive” relationship with team owner Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.
“I think it was misunderstood a little or [the] The narrative was not written correctly with the relationship with Lawrence. [Frank]the relationship with Steve Ballmer,” George said before the Sixers had their morning shootout at UCLA. “I mean, they were amazing the whole time I was here.
“That’s why it was such a shocking decision how it played out in the end. But they were incredible. My time here, I think it was kind of refreshing to be around an association like that with a front office. And I think that was probably the highlight of all. [time with the Clippers]. How great they were during my tenure here.”
Frank told ESPN he was willing to give the Kawhi Leonard-George duo another three years by extending George the same three-year, $150 million contract he gave Leonard in January. But the team wouldn’t give George a no-trade clause with that deal or give him a four-year maximum deal, citing roster flexibility, age and the new collective bargaining agreement’s second apron, which penalizes teams that They pay luxury taxes like the Clippers. .
Beyond the boos, George said he felt a lot of love from old friends from his former team and from many family and friends in the building. He spent time with former teammates, like James Harden, before the game and didn’t leave the court for a good 15 minutes afterward, as he met up with more former teammates, like Ivica Zubac, and hugged his parents, team employees. Clippers and friends. who were on the field.
“There’s no hard feelings,” George said when asked about the hard feelings that could arise when a star leaves a franchise. “I talked to those guys throughout the process. James was informed of what he was doing. Kawhi was informed of what he was doing. Russ [Westbrook] He was informed of what he was doing. I talked to all those guys, so there was no hard feelings.
“At the end of the day, regardless of whether we’re teammates or not, those are bonds that are built for life and anything that happens in basketball doesn’t affect that relationship.”
George said he thought the Intuit Dome was as spectacular as advertised, but there was only one thing missing: more Clippers fans.
“It was great,” he said of the Clippers’ new home. “I wish it had been a little more crowded. I didn’t think it was crowded enough for this to be a Clippers exclusive.
“But the facilities, this is amazing. What Ballmer did and his vision and how it came to fruition, it’s the best stadium to play in.”
