Paul George unappreciative of Clippers fans booing him in return: ‘It’s stupid’

Paul George unappreciative of Clippers fans booing him in return: ‘It’s stupid’

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George returned to Los Angeles for the first time Wednesday to face his old team, the Los Angeles Clippers.

George departed the organization this offseason after the two sides could never agree to an extension; it was George’s first time entering free agency since getting traded to the organization back in 2019. He signed a four-year max deal with Philadelphia and detailed his negotiations with the Clippers’ brass on his podcast in early July.

Regardless, George, a Southern California native, did not receive a kind reception in his return, getting booed throughout the contest. The 34-year-old wasn’t appreciative of the gesture, either.

“It’s stupid,” George told reporters after the game. “I was a free agent. It wasn’t something that I demanded a trade or went against the team here. Like, I was a free agent. The team presented something [contract] that was team-friendly, and I did what was best for me in that situation.

“There were some cheers. I appreciate them. Those were the ones that I played hard for. The boos — I didn’t get it. I still don’t get it when I go back to [Indianapolis]. But it is what it is. It’s sports. That’s what’s in sports. Yeah, I look forward to next year being here and more boos.”

George finished with 18 points and seven rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting and 2-of-3 from 3-point range. He missed the team’s first five games with a knee injury and only saw 24 minutes in Wednesday’s 12-point loss.

The 6-foot-8 wing played five seasons for the Los Angeles Clippers alongside superstar forward Kawhi Leonard. Though the duo significantly underachieved, making the Western Conference just once in all of those five seasons with unfortunate exits practically every season.

With Los Angeles, George made three All-Star teams with a third-team All-NBA nod in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. He averaged 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 263 career games with the Clippers, shooting 45.5 percent from the floor, 39.7 percent from 3-point range (7.9 3PA) and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Given his injury history, I’m not sure that many fans will remember George’s time with Los Angeles particularly fondly–hence the boos. That’s not atypical for a star player making his return to an organization that some thought he may have spurned. He did what was ultimately best for him, but that doesn’t mean fans will offer him a hearty “welcome back!”

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