Sixers' George booed in L.A. return, calls reaction 'stupid' - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In his first game against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome, Paul George received a video tribute but also heard plenty of boos all night from The Wall at the new arena.

Before an announced crowd of 15,627, George made 7-of-9 shots and had 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals, but his old team routed the Philadelphia 76ers 110-98.

George said he appreciated the video tribute and called the Clippers franchise «first class.» He said his return drew a fair and split reaction, but he did not understand or care for the boos after helping the Clippers reach its only Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021.

«It is stupid,» George said when asked if he was surprised to hear jeers after playing five seasons in L.A. «I mean, I was a free agent, you know what I mean? It wasn't something that I demanded a trade or went against the team here. I was a free agent. The team presented something that was team-friendly, and I did what was best for me in that situation.

»So there were the cheers. I appreciate them. Those were the ones that I played hard for. The boos, I didn't get it. I still don't get it when I go [back] to Indy, but it is what it is. It's sports. I look forward to next year being back here and more boos."

After five seasons of playing for the Clippers, George signed a four-year, $212 million max contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers last summer. George said he wanted to remain a Clipper. But he wanted a no-trade clause to go with a three-year, $150 million extension or a four-year max deal and the Clippers declined to do either.

After George left, some of the Clippers' fanbase was irked by comments he made on his podcast, «Podcast P with Paul George,» when he described returning