Clippers fans, don’t worry too much about the recent news that Paul George won’t be suiting up for the team. We’ve still got a player who has been to the NBA All-Star game not once, not twice, but six times! That’s right, we’re talking about the guy, who is more than capable of leading this team to victory.
Sure, losing a player like Paul George is tough, no doubt about it. But this is the NBA, and injuries happen. We’ve seen teams overcome adversity before, and the Clippers can do it too. The 6-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard is ready to step up and show everyone what he’s made of.
In the days leading up to the start of free agency, George declined a $48 million player option on his contract. It was only a matter of time before he signed a new deal. While a potential sign-and-trade to Golden State was on the table—as was a potential return to LA—George ultimately decided to part ways with the Clippers and join a new trio in Philadelphia with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
For a two-time champion, six-time All-Star like Kawhi Leonard, he doesn’t seem to be stressed over the loss.
“I don’t feel like it’s going to be hard for me, personally,” Leonard said as he prepares to head into the season without George for the first time in some years. “I didn’t look at—for anybody I’m on the court with—I don’t look at him to be my savior. I take in my own role and my challenges that I have to face each and every game and going in trying to dominate the game.”
Together, George and Leonard won over 65 percent of their games played together during a five-year stint in LA. Unfortunately, their postseason dreams were never met as health concerns played a major part in preventing them from making a desired championship run.
Leonard will stick around in LA long-term after signing a $153 million extension during the 2023-2024 season. As for George, he gets a fresh start on the 76ers, where he hopes to accomplish what he couldn’t before and win an NBA Championship.
Sometimes all it takes is a little extra motivation to bring out the best in a team. Losing one of a team’s star players might just be the fuel needed to ignite the fire within and push the team to new heights.
Flip to the next page to watch Kawhi Leonard speak on Paul George being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers…
