Several hours before playing against the Los Angeles Clippers for the first time since his departure as a free agent, Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George insisted he has no hard feelings against the franchise.
George played five seasons with the Clippers before being lured to Philadelphia in the offseason with a four-year, $212 million deal.
“The narrative wasn’t written correctly, with the relationship with Lawrence Frank, the relationship with Steve Ballmer,” George told reporters during a mid-day shoot-around at UCLA. “I mean, they were awesome the whole time I was here. It’s kind of the reason why it was such a shocking decision, how it played out at the end (in free agency). But they were awesome.
“I think that was kind of refreshing, to be alongside and have a partnership like that with a front office. And so I think that was probably the highlight, I think, of the whole situation, just how great they were in my tenure here.”
Frank is the Clippers president of basketball operations and Ballmer is the owner who signs the checks.
When it comes down to it, the choices on both sides were about business.
“I think people don’t realize business is business. They made a business decision that works for the organization, and that’s fine,” George said. “I made a business decision that worked for myself and my family. And so, again, there’s no love lost. I still appreciate and love those guys. But, you know, it’s part of the business.”
George, a nine-time All-Star, still raves about coach Tyronn Lue and said he will fondly remember his time with the Clippers.
“Every year was special,” George said. “Every year was great. Steve was awesome. T-Lue was awesome. Lawrence was awesome. Then the guys that I played with here were awesome. So, you know, I’ll always have love here. Obviously, this is home, but this organization is first class, and I was just appreciative to be a part of it.”
George missed the first five games of the season with a left knee injury before making his Philadelphia debut during Monday’s 118-116 loss to the host Phoenix Suns.
George, 34, scored 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting. He missed a tying 23-footer with 3.4 seconds left.
George averaged 23 points and six rebounds in 263 regular-season games with the Clippers. Los Angeles reached the Western Conference finals in 2021 before losing to the Phoenix Suns, and then missed the playoffs the following season and was sent home in the first round each of the past two campaigns.