In a recent episode of his podcast, NBA star Paul George took another shot at the Los Angeles Clippers fanbase, reigniting tensions that have simmered for years. George, who left the Clippers this summer to join the Philadelphia 76ers, bluntly addressed what he perceives as a lack of loyalty and support from the team’s fans. His comments came after a disappointing turnout at the new Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ brand-new arena in Inglewood, which cost over $2 billion to build. Despite the state-of-the-art facilities, attendance has been underwhelming, with the team ranking 25th in the league for fan turnout. This lack of support has become a source of frustration for George, who believes the fans proved his long-standing feelings about their status in LA were accurate.
George’s comments about the Clippers being the “B-team” in Los Angeles stem from his personal experiences with local fans. During his time with the Clippers, he felt overshadowed by the Lakers, the city’s more glamorous and historically successful franchise. In his podcast, George explained that when he initially mentioned the Clippers feeling like a “B-team,” it wasn’t an insult but rather an observation of the way many Angelenos viewed him and his teammates. He expressed that the constant suggestion he should have been a Laker made him feel like an outsider. Now, seeing the lack of enthusiasm for the new arena, George feels justified in his remarks, urging Clippers fans to step up and support their team.
Despite these pointed comments, Paul George has always expressed loyalty to the Clippers during his five-year tenure with the team. He joined the Clippers in 2019 with hopes of forming a championship-winning duo alongside Kawhi Leonard. Unfortunately, despite their star power, the Clippers never made it past the Western Conference Finals, and George’s stint with the team was marked by frustrating playoff exits. Though he had individual success, including averaging 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, the ultimate goal of bringing an NBA title to LA never materialized. As a result, George’s decision to leave this summer was not entirely unexpected, though it still stung for some fans who had hoped he could lead the team to greater heights.
While the Clippers have struggled to capture the same level of fan enthusiasm as the Lakers, George’s comments about the franchise’s “B-team” status aren’t entirely without merit. The team’s attendance numbers have fluctuated over the years, and this season, the lack of fan engagement at the Intuit Dome has been particularly evident. Some fans have criticized George for labeling them this way, feeling betrayed by his decision to leave after years of service. However, George argues that he gave everything to the team and feels frustrated by how his departure has been perceived. He believes he deserved more appreciation for his contributions to the franchise, especially since he helped elevate the Clippers’ status in the league during his time there.
As for the future of the Clippers, the challenge remains to build a stronger fanbase that fully supports the team in its new home. The pressure is on owner Steve Ballmer and the organization to foster a genuine connection with their fans, something that has proven difficult in the shadow of the Lakers’ dominance. For Paul George, the journey continues in Philadelphia, where he hopes to help the 76ers contend for a title. However, the lingering bitterness between him and Clippers fans shows that his departure is not as clean-cut as it might seem, leaving an unresolved chapter in the story of his career.