ESPN analyst Marc Spears reported that the Los Angeles Clippers will dedicate a tribute video to their former All-Star, Paul George. The star forward is set to make his first game in Los Angeles since leaving the team over the past summer on Thursday. The Philadelphia 76ers will visit the Inuit Dome, where the tribute will be played.
George signed a four-year, $212 million contract as a free agency with the Sixers after five years with the Clippers. The star forward made his season debut on Monday against the Phoenix Suns after missing the first five games.
“Paul George is back,” Spears said. “I’m told they’re [Los Angeles Clippers] gonna do a big tribute video for him.”
The Clippers will give Paul George a tribute video tomorrow 👀
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24) pic.twitter.com/sA0DeT7dLT
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 5, 2024
During his stint with the team, George averaged 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The 6-foot-9 player represented the team three times as an All-Star for the Western Conference.
How good was Paul George with the Los Angeles Clippers?
The Los Angeles Clippers traded for George in 2019, giving up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Galinari and five first-round picks. At the same time, the Clippers acquired Kawhi Leonard, who signed with the team as a free agent. The pairing of the two All-Star forwards was promising as it turned the team into title contenders.
George played 48 games during his limited playing time in his first season with the team. He made 41.2% of his 3-point attempts and averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. After redeeming himself in his second season, he recorded 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, earning him an All-Star selection.
The forward helped the team have a deep playoff run. The Clippers made it to the Western Conference finals but were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in six games. The following year, many expected LA to replicate the success they had. However, injuries to George and Leonard (who was out for the rest of the season) held the team back, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
The next year, George and the Clippers returned to the postseason. With a healthy squad, the Clippers looked like they had a real shot at winning the title. However, they were met with an old foe, the Suns, and were eliminated in the first round after five games.
During his tenure with his local team, George appeared in the most games (74) during his final year, the 2023–24 season. In the postseason, they failed to get past the first round and were ousted by the Dallas Mavericks.
Overall, injuries derailed George’s tenure with the team, preventing the Los Angeles Clippers from contending for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
