Sixers' George booed on return to LA, calls reaction 'stupid'

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 from The Wall in the new arena throughout the night.

In front of an announced crowd of 15,627, George made 7 of 9 shots and had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals, but his old team defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 110-98.

George said he appreciated the video tribute and called the Clippers franchise “top notch.” He said his return drew a fair and divided reaction, but he neither understood nor cared about the boos after helping the Clippers earn their only trip to the Western Conference finals in 2021 .

“It’s stupid,” George said when asked if he was surprised to hear ridicule after playing five seasons in LA. “I mean, I was a free agent, you know what I mean? It wasn't something I was demanding a trade or. “I was a free agent here and did something team-friendly, and I did the best for myself in that situation.”

“So there was the cheering. I appreciate him. Those were the ones I played hard for. I didn't understand the boos. I still don't get her when I go (back) to Indy, but she is.” What it is. It's sport. I look forward to being back here next year and getting more boos.

After five seasons with the Clippers, George signed a four-year, $212 million maximum contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers this summer. George said he wanted to remain a Clipper. But he wanted a no-trade clause that came with a three-year, $150 million extension or a four-year maximum contract, and the Clippers rejected both.

After George left, some of the Clippers' fan base 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 part of the “B Team.” “Because so many Lakers fans would tell him he should have gone to the Lakers.

Some fans in “The Wall,” an area where the most ardent Clippers fans stand in unbroken lines behind the basket near the opposing bench, brought signs referencing George’s podcast. Several fans held signs reading “PG THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.”

George, playing only his second game after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee late in preseason, said he hadn't seen many of the signs.

“Well, I’m sure they’re probably all subscribers,” George said, referring to his podcast. “So it’s a win-win situation. It’s two wins against The Wall, I guess.”

During the first half, when the Sixers had to shoot at The Wall's basket, George made both free throw attempts. In the season-opening overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Clippers fans at The Wall managed to distract Kevin Durant enough to cause him to miss two free throws.

George said Wednesday morning that he holds no grudge against the Clippers organization for not re-signing him. He cited his “great” relationship with team owner Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.

“I think the relationship with Lawrence (Frank) and Steve Ballmer were somehow misinterpreted or the narrative wasn't written right,” George said before the Sixers had their morning shootaround at UCLA. “I mean, they were great the whole time I was here.

“That's kind of why it ended up being such a shocking decision. But they were great. The time here, I think it's kind of refreshing to be on the sidelines and have a partnership like that with a front office.” And I think that was probably the highlight of the whole thing (how great they were during my tenure here).

Frank told ESPN that he was willing to give the Kawhi Leonard-George tandem another three years by extending George to the same three-year, $150 million contract he gave Leonard in January. But the team would not give George a no-trade clause or a four-year maximum contract with this deal, citing roster flexibility, age and the second run of the new collective bargaining agreement that teams pay the luxury tax , like the Clippers, are at a disadvantage.

Aside from the boos, George said he felt a lot of love from old friends from his former team and many family and friends in the building. Before the game, he spent time with former teammates like James Harden and didn't leave the court for a good 15 minutes afterward, while he met with other former teammates like Ivica Zubac and hugged his parents, Clippers employees and friends who were courtside .

“There's no bad blood,” George said when asked about resentment that could arise when a star leaves a franchise. “I spoke to these guys throughout the entire process. James was informed of what I was doing. Kawhi was informed of what I was doing. Russ (Westbrook) was informed of what I was doing. I talked to all these guys, so there was no bad blood.

“At the end of the day, whether we are teammates or not, these are lifelong bonds that you build, and whatever happens in basketball has no impact on that relationship.”

George said he thinks the Intuit Dome is as spectacular as advertised, but there's just 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 that full for it to be Clippers Stadium.”

“But the facility, this thing is amazing. What Ballmer did and his vision and how it came to life – it’s the best arena to play in.”