Paul George time with the Indiana Pacers has not been evaluated under the right mind as both sides left this relationship with bitter feelings. George returned to Indiana for the All-Star Game this past weekend and reflected over his departure.
George played in Indiana between 2010 and 2017 before demanding out ending in OKC Thunder to play alongside MVP Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. George led the Pacers to two Eastern Conference Finals appearances before leaving the franchise.
“Hopefully it boiled over and we both can respect the time that we had together, the relationship that we had together,” George said, via Fieldhouse Files of Scott Agness. “I hold no grudges. Hopefully that was their closing of a chapter.”
The Clippers’ superstar never returned to the East since his departure from Indiana and he continues to play in the Western Conference as he moved to the Clippers in 2019 to team up with Kawhi Leonard.
Paul George visited Indiana repeatedly as an opponent and was repeatdly booed by the fans in the Pacers arena. George had time to move around the city of Indiana the past weekend and hopes that people will leave the grudge for moving from the franchise behind.
“Being out yesterday and being in the city and being around people that can touch me and share their stories while I was here, it meant a lot. I think those interactions helped me just feel better and understand that I think people have gotten over the bad times.”
Paul George on Pacers fans after ASW in Indy:
"If they only knew I was fighting for them more so than wanting to leave them stranded, then it wouldn’t have went as bad.
"…It’s good that both sides can kind of dust our hands and walk smooth away”
STORY: https://t.co/CxyJMJmccS pic.twitter.com/R4wezMC0Uh
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 20, 2024
Paul George became an All-Star in Indiana
The Indiana Pacers can be right about having a bitter feeling against Paul George considering that the team rose to become a contender during the Clippers’ superstar time there. However, Paul George experienced success in his young career there.
He became an All-Star for the first time in 2013, while he led the Pacers deep in the playoffs that year. Since then, he was part of the All-Star squad in 8 more occasions and also joined Team USA in various competitions becoming an Olympic Gold medalist in 2016.
Since then, George experienced many ups and downs and hopes to add his first championship with the Clippers this season. The LA franchise added former MVP James Harden to improve their chances in the postseason by outpowering opponents with their star power.
