Since leaving the Clippers and signing with the 76ers, Paul George has aired some soiled laundry about his former crew with out hesitation. He even dubbed them LA’s ‘B Crew’ behind the Lakers, leaving the franchise’s followers incensed. Nevertheless, Keyshawn Johnson got here to the veteran ahead’s protection, claiming his take was spot on.
On Undisputed, the previous NFL star-turned-analyst claimed that the Clippers have, and sure at all times will, play second-fiddle to the Lakers in LA. He famous they might’ve modified the narrative with a title win throughout their rivals’ tumultuous decade between their final two championships, however did not capitalize on their downturn in kind. Johnson mentioned,
“Whereas the Lakers have been down, you had a possibility to take management to some extent…They have been by no means going to be A [Team] however a minimum of you possibly can’ve acquired some respect. They acquired no respect, zero respect.”
The analyst even claimed that the incessant trolling of the Clippers and their lack of respect in LA performed a task in George quitting the crew and becoming a member of the 76ers. The ahead, an LA native, was excited to return dwelling in 2019 and assist the ‘B Crew’ acquire notoriety within the Metropolis of Angels.
Nevertheless, 5 disappointing seasons later, he mentioned goodbye to his hometown once more and moved to Philadelphia. No Clippers fan would’ve envisioned in 2019 that George and Kawhi Leonard’s partnership would solely yield one Convention Finals look in 5 years.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard’s duo couldn’t do a lot for the Clippers
The 2019 offseason was inarguably the best within the Clippers’ historical past. George and Leonard joined a crew that took the Golden State Warriors superteam to 6 video games within the 2019 playoffs, and so they have been instantly dubbed the title favorites.
They lived as much as their billing till Recreation 5 of the second spherical of the playoffs in opposition to the Nuggets. Main 3-1 within the collection, they have been anticipated to clinch a win and arrange a Western Convention Finals date in opposition to the Lakers. Nevertheless, tragedy struck.
They blew huge leads in Video games 5 and 6 and have been blown out in Recreation 7, ending their marketing campaign in essentially the most humiliating trend conceivable. To make issues worse, the Lakers would go on to win the championship and reclaim their throne as LA’s most interesting.
The next yr, they made it to the Western Convention Finals for the primary time in franchise historical past, however neither George nor Leonard would characteristic within the collection as they have been each out with accidents. This could turn out to be a standard theme over the following three years as both one of many two would endure an harm come playoff time, destroying the Clippers’ hopes of a championship.
5 years of terrible harm luck and relentless trolling was sufficient for George. He joined the 76ers to crew up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, hoping to win a minimum of one ring earlier than he calls it a day on his Corridor of Fame profession.
As for the Clippers, they nonetheless have Leonard and satisfied James Harden to stay round for 2 extra years. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that these two veterans would be capable to assist the franchise wash off the ‘B Crew’ tag.
