Paul George Thinking It Was "Stupid" And Somehow Being Confused As To Why Clippers Fans Booed Him Is A Masterclass In A Lack Of Self Awareness

Harry How. Getty Images.

For the first time since he decided to leave the Clippers this past summer, Paul George made his return to LA in a matchup against his former team on Wednesday night and was mostly a non-factor (18 points on 7-9 with 4 TOs and a -11) in what was yet another loss for the spiraling Sixers. 

As you probably could have guessed, Clippers fans did their best to do what pretty much every fanbase in any sport does when a former player returns who didn't exactly have the best breakup. They booed, the Wall did their thing

Nothing all that crazy, pretty standard stuff if you ask me. 

The more interesting part came after the game, when Paul George addressed the fan reaction and how "stupid" he thought it was

It's true, Paul George was a free agent and was well within his rights to leave the Clippers and cash in on what's probably the last big time contract of his career. If that's what he felt was right for him and his family, there's nothing wrong with that. 

The thing is, this isn't why Clippers fans booed. While some may have preferred he took a team friendly deal instead, that's not real life. Guys in their late 30s aren't passing up $200M+. So what could George have done to possibly piss off Clippers fans? Oh I dunno, how about talking crazy immediately after you left?

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Maybe, just maybe something like this had more to do with how Clippers fans feel than George deciding to leave in free agency? That clip/soundbite came just 3 weeks after the news broke that George was leaving, and call me crazy but I think it's pretty understandable why Clippers fans might be sensitive to the whole "B team" thing when it comes to them and the Lakers. Let's not forget of course, that this was also that same Paul George back in 2019

The guy who was supposed to be a big part in the Clippers shedding that "B Team" perception didn't get it done, then he decided to bolt (his right) and immediately plays the "B team" card the second he's no longer a Clipper, despite years earlier talking about how he always wanted to be a Clipper. Yeah, I'm one to believe THAT plays more of a role in how fans react towards him than signing to join another team.

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On some level, I kind of respect the lack of self awareness. It's almost like he forgets that everything is on podcasts and the internet forever. People don't forget, especially when it's your very first game back against your old team. Words matter, and when you say shit like he did immediately after bolting, it should not be confusing as to why that fanbase probably isn't your biggest fan. 

From the underachieving postseason play to trashing them as soon as you were out the door, it would be surprising as hell if he wasn't booed.