Paul George's departure was the most significant event of the offseason for the LA Clippers. It ultimately determined their path going forward, and allowed the team to set up its next steps and have a clearer vision of what the next era of Clippers basketball will look like.
LA will miss George in a few ways. Not just from an on-court production standpoint, but also in the sense of losing a Southern California native on the roster. But with that said, PG will have his own unique challenges to deal with going forward. Draymond Green recently weighed in on the next step of Paul's journey.
Appearing on an interview with NFL reporter Jordan Schultz ahead of a Thursday night football game, Draymond gave what amounted to a stern warning to George ahead of his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers. "Good luck, Paul George," said Green. "He better play well, or they're going to crush Paul George if he don't play well."
Clippers fans are probably nodding their heads in agreement reading that last sentence. They know good and well how much criticism PG got when he fell below expectations in Los Angeles. "You know why they're gonna crush Paul George if he don't play well there?" Draymond asked. "Because they already got a nasty taste in their mouth from their last three that they had with Tobias Harris. They never felt like he brought it, so that's why.”
Draymond Green warned Paul George about Philadelphia fans
Green could not be more spot-on with his assessment. Sports fans and even casual observers know that Philadelphia fans are a different breed, no matter what sport is being played. Whether it is the 76ers, the Eagles, the Phillies, the Flyers or another sport, fans in the City of Brotherly Love bring a unique attitude toward cheering for their teams.
But that does not necessarily mean it is a good attitude. Draymond explained that playing on the road against the 76ers does not present as big a challenge as one might think. "Philly fans are harder on their own team than they are on the opposing team ... They're focused on crushing their guys so much, that they really don't kill you when you go to Philly like that. Like, they be crushing their own guys. That's the point. It's hard to last there."
There is certainly a different kind of pressure when it comes to playing for a Philadelphia team. Clippers fans understand the kind of highs and lows Paul George can reach over the course of a season, so the fans still supporting him must be cringing at the thought of him flaming out in the playoffs and getting an earful from the Sixers fanbase.
Paul George had to understand this was the situation he was getting himself into from the beginning. A star player will always be scrutinized more than role players, but he will be under an even bigger microscope with certain Philly fans probably just waiting for him to mess up.