Paul George has harsh words for Clippers fans about $2B Intuit Dome as he clarifies viral statement
Upon joining the Philadelphia 76ers, star wing Paul George said his former squad, the LA Clippers, felt inferior to their crosstown rival, the LA Lakers. However, the nine-time All-Star recently clarified his viral comment and called out Clippers fans for inadequately supporting their team.
After being acquired from the OKC Thunder in a 2019 blockbuster trade, George played five seasons with the Clippers. While he reportedly sought a contract extension last season, the two sides couldn't agree on the terms of a deal.
LA reportedly offered George a three-year, $150 million contract but was unwilling to add a no-trade clause or a fourth year valued at $57 million.
Instead, George signed a four-year, $211.6 million maximum contract with Philly in early July. Later that month, the California native noted on his podcast that the Clippers are widely perceived as inferior to the Lakers.
"I think initially, coming back to LA, that was home when I first came back to LA, but it's not the same love," George said.
"When I was in LA, they were like, 'Man, you should've been a Laker.' That's all I was hearing. It wasn't like, 'Yo, welcome to the Clippers.' (It was like), 'We're happy you're here in LA but you should've been a Laker.' I'm on the B team. That's how the vibe and the love felt," he continued.
On Wednesday's episode of "Podcast P with Paul George," the Sixers star reflected on Clippers fans booing him during his team's Nov. 6 110-98 loss. According to George, LA's fanbase misinterpreted his "B team" remark.
"What did I say that was wrong? I did not call (the) Clippers 'the B team,' I said it felt like the B team just because everywhere you go, people in LA say, 'You should be a Laker. You should be a Laker,'" George said. "That wasn't minimizing. That wasn't downplaying. I was a Clipper. That's who I chose to play for."
However, George added that Clippers fans are proving his point by not regularly selling out the organization's newly opened $2 billion Intuit Dome.
"I wasn't comparing them and saying they were underneath the Lakers. ... But they proved me right," George said. "They aren't packing out Intuit Dome. That’s ya'll's home, that's ya'll's team, go f**king support them. Go be there every night."
Despite Paul George's comments, the Clippers (6-5) have started far better than the Sixers (2-8).
However, barring an unexpected NBA Finals matchup, George won't return to Intuit Dome again until next season. So, LA's fans won't have another chance to give him a piece of their minds for a while.
Paul George says Clippers fans should be more understanding of his free agency departure
During his podcast, Paul George noted that Clippers fans don't know the whole story behind his free agency departure. According to the six-time All-NBA selectee, they should be more understanding, as he didn't force his way out of LA.
"Again, I was a free agent," George said. "It's not like I asked to get out of a contract or asked to leave. If y'all knew the whole transcript of how it played out, they would understand where it came from."
However, for now, the Clippers' fanbase appears to be reveling in its disdain for its ex-star and relishing Philly's lackluster start.
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