INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Paul George talked earlier in the day about how he held no grudge against the Clippers fans or organization, that it was a great five seasons and while his time in Los Angeles ended a bit awkwardly – due to money and a no-trade clause – he held no ill will .
Clippers fans felt differently.
Fans booed George during introductions and every time he touched the ball in his return to Los Angeles. There were even some “PG-sucking” chants.
It wasn’t the loudest, lustiest boos ever heard in an NBA arena, but “The Wall” fans were creative and loud, and George heard them.
The first time Paul George went to the free throw line, the Clippers “Wall” turned his back. Second time, the old school holds a newspaper piece. pic.twitter.com/fsMeLFvlpu
– Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) 7 November 2024
It also had no effect on George in the first half as he drained some early 3-pointers and finished the first 24 minutes 4-of-4 from the floor with 12 points. The bad news for the Clippers was in his second game back from a bone bruise in his knee, George shook off the rust and looked every bit himself.
The Clippers had a nice tribute video for the first time in the first quarter, and fans politely clapped before and after, although a few boos were scattered there. George gestured to the wall after that, brushing them off. That “Wall” was something George never cheered for him, that was his first game in the new Intuit Dome of the Clippers.
George only left the Clippers because of some awkward negotiations. Kawhi Leonard signed a discounted three-year, $149.5 million contract to stay with the Clippers in the middle of last season, George said later that he would stay for the same deal — as long as it also included a no-trade clause (if it takes him less to stay, he said he wanted to make sure he stayed). George’s side of the story is that the Clippers took him low for much of the time, then reached Leonard-level money at the end, but wouldn’t give him the no-trade clause. So he signed with Philly for four years, $211.6 million.
Some Clippers fans aren’t ready to forgive him for that.
