"Wouldn't say hurt but wanted to ": Paul George makes emotional confession on conversation with Steve Kerr & Grant Hill on Team USA Olympics cutÂ
This summer, Paul George was among the NBA stars not chosen to play for Team USA in the Summer Olympics. Even though he wasn't chosen, the nine-time All-Star did open up on how he was approached earlier this year to possibly join the star-studded roster.
Earlier this week, George sat down with Carmelo Anthony on his "7PM in Brooklyn Podcast." Among the things brought up was him not playing in the Olympics. George said that Steve Kerr gauged his interest during the NBA regular season, but Grant Hill informed him later on that things just didn't work out.
"I ran into Grant Hill I think during the playoffs in Dallas," George said. "I understood it, obviously I ain't gonna be sour about it. At the same time it was like damn, I was looking forward to representing the USA."
"I wouldn't say I was hurt, but I for sure wanted to."
Paul George's former teammate Kawhi Leonard was chosen for Team USA but didn't end up making the trip to Paris. Due to injury concerns, they decided to swap out the LA Clippers forward in exchange for Derrick White.
George shouldn't feel too slighted by this decision, as Team USA's roster is loaded with some of the NBA's top superstars. Among those who are suiting up in the 2024 Olympics are Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and LeBron James.
Has Paul George played for Team USA in the past?
Paul George might not be playing for Team USA this summer, but he has in the past. Along with all of his successes in the NBA, he also has a gold medal on his list of accolades.
George has been a one-and-done with Team USA in the Olympics thus far. He was chosen to play in the Summer Games in 2016 when they were held in Rio de Janeiro.
Aside from Paul George, other notable names from the 2016 squad included Durant, Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Butler. This group of stars went undefeated in the 2016 Olympics en route to securing a gold medal.
Given his current situation, it's probably best that George isn't playing competitively in the offseason. For starters, he's coming off his first healthy season since 2019. Secondly, George is getting ready to join a new team after signing a max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
Seeing that he had to work out a new contract this summer, it might have complicated things regarding committing to Team USA. Since he doesn't have to worry about Olympic play, George can spend his offseason preparing to hit the ground running in this new chapter of his career.