It has been nearly two-and-a-half years since Paul George was traded by the Pacers to the Thunder, but fans in Indiana still booed George – now on Clipper – on Monday whenever he touched the ball, as if this was his first game back, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. George, who said he wasn’t surprised by being booed, also hinted that the full story of his departure from Indiana still hasn’t come out.
“You know, someday I’ll do a tell-all and tell the leading events of how I left Indiana,” George said. “And I promise you, I’m not the one to boo.
“… I’m not gonna share the teaser,” George later said. “… I like being the villain. I’m here two nights out of the year. The people they should boo is here a lot longer than I am.”
The George trade was one of the first major moves made by Kevin Pritchard, who became Indiana’s head of basketball operations during the spring of 2017. While George implied on Monday that the Pacers franchise may be partially to blame for the circumstances surrounding that trade, he declined to criticize Pritchard, as Youngmisuk notes.
“I’m not going to bad-mouth KP,” George said when told that Pritchard said George’s trade request felt like a punch in the gut. “That’s just Kevin’s side of the story.”
Here’s more from around the East:
- Howard Beck of Bleacher Report recently reported that Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri turned down a lucrative extension offer, but Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca hears from sources that the offer didn’t happen. Still, Grange wouldn’t be surprised if Ujiri is interested in testing the “free agent” market at some point, and believes the Knicks could be a real threat to lure him away from Toronto.
- The Heat would have had serious interest in Bradley Beal if the Wizards had made him available in trade talks or if he had reached free agency in 2021. Instead, Beal re-upped with Washington, signing a two-year extension earlier this year. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald caught up with Beal to ask the Wizards’ star whether he considered the possibility of a move to the Heat before inking that new deal. Beal’s answer? “Yes and no.” Jackson has the full story and quotes.
- Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald explains why the Celtics shouldn’t be viewed as a potential suitor for Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, who is reportedly on the trade block.
no one cares, PG. pacers fans are quite pleased with VO and Sabonis after you quit on the team. Take your gentle chiding boos and go write your book.
Ues I think the story is known enough to know about it. PG wanted out on his own, prob to take his ball and go home.
Writer Bulpett claims that Celtic fans like Hayward. Not sure that that is true: Ask Tatum if he would rather play the 3 with Love the rebounder. Nevermind Love, the Celts want Tatum happy… he can make a big difference goodcor bad.
I’ve been to games Hayward played this year. I know you haven’t. How I know is is remarkably easy, everyone I saw cheers every time he gets a touch.
Stick with the Grizzlies. Or maybe OKC
Troll!!!
I am more familiar with Cincinnati Reds fans cheering the loudest for pitchers they (and me) thought benefitted from the audible boost. (Don’t follow anymore.)
I won’t doubt Hayward gets cheers but most people think he’s overpaid. Fortunately there is Irving to actually blame.
Who wouldn’t have ‘serious interest’ in Bradley Beal if he were made available!? lol He’s one of the best shooters/scoring SGs in the game in my opinion and any contender should be interested.
The Pacers are fun to watch without PG. good riddance. I was sick of him pounding the rock until 5 seconds and then chucking up a 3….which missed. We will see how Clippers season ends.