Comments on: 2024 Clippers Exit Interview: Paul George

By: Sweet Lou

Sweet Lou — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 06:27:31 +0000

If we can somehow flip PG13 for Julius Randle + 2 1st’s that NYK has that would be the best case scenario for the Clippers.
You address the #4 problem , you don’t command money that is longer than the KL deal.
You add Harden on a “soft” deal somewhere in the 30’s and move on from Norm for more rotation pieces to be under second apron.

By: Robert Flom

Robert Flom — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:44:17 +0000

I don’t think that he doesn’t care, he just isn’t hardwired to be a leader

By: Dave Rosa

Dave Rosa — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 12:17:23 +0000

PG doesn’t have “the Championship Gene.” He will never lead the Clippers to the finals. On another team, as the 3rd, the top 2 players could drag him over the finish line but he’ll never be leading the pack.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 07:06:39 +0000

I’m sure Lucas has something baking in the over re: the new CBA and salary cap rules, but letting George walk isn’t entirely w/o merit. The new penalties for being over the 2nd apron are pretty damn steep – for example, no MLE (not even the taxpayer one), harsher salary matching requirements in trades, among others. I’d be fine letting him sign a horrible contract w/ Philly or Orlando or wherever, and then try to balance out the roster better. Of course, I would’ve really liked for that to be done by a different FO, but alas…

By: Oodypkt

Oodypkt — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 05:28:12 +0000

No idea what will happen about PG situation.
If we actually keep the Big 3. At least clear out some vets and inject youth to the team.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/theres-more-than-meets-the-eye-with
Another prospect who can play PF/C combo role for us.
6-8 with 7-2 WS. Great rebounder, play with toughness, can play defense but with limited offensive upside.
His rebounding prowess alone will immensely help our team.
…
Mid second round pick might not turn out to be that much effect on the team and our track record on developing and playing talent is not that good. But you need turning point, sooner or later.
I hope we move in the direction that benefit the team both in short & long term. Let’s wait and see.

By: Michael Cage

Michael Cage — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:49:00 +0000

The thing that makes Paul George so infuriating to watch is that he’s been one of the most talented players in the league but he has never cared enough to win on the highest level. There is a mental edge that the great players have that he lacks, though he has all the physical tools to match them. Because of that, he is the most disappointing of stars; those who burned brightly for a brief time but squandered their remarkable gifts and leaving no legacy when their playing days are done.

Ultimately, we watch sports for those rare moments when great athletes are faced with adversity, but fights tooth and nail, refusing to lose. We want to see the Willis Reed moment, see Jordan playing through an illness to drag his team to a championship, see Ali refusing to quit against Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila, with both men going beyond the limits of human endurance and transcending the sport itself. Because it is in those moments that their performance are forever etched into the memories of all those who witnessed it, and they are elevated into the pantheon of legends.

Paul George had the physical skills to be one of the all time greats, but he never had the mental fortitude to step up to the moment. Kawhi’s annual injuries asides, George’s failure is now the franchise’s failure. You cannot hitch your fortunes to a star who just don’t give a damn in the end.

By: Robert Flom

Robert Flom — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 02:58:18 +0000

This is probably what happens

By: Dave Rosa

Dave Rosa — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 22:28:47 +0000

Either let him walk or trade him (either now or at trade deadline).

Yes, he was an ALL STAR last season. Next year is what I am concerned about. 1 year older. He’s not LeBron.

Personally, I don’t like his lack of a “team game” at all. He doesn’t move the ball. He plays slow.

He isn’t a leader.

To me, he has emotional issues.

The Clippers need to get themselves out of these “Geezer Contracts.”

Every team bottoms out at some point. Better to get it over with.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 21:29:58 +0000

Familiarity breeds contempt. I realize many are disappointed in PG at the moment but I’m not one of them. I just think the entire team is too damn old but that doesn’t matter now. We would be insane to let an Allstar with his Skill set walk when there’s no chance of getting equal return. There’s also the chemistry issue to where it often takes one season to acclimate before a team is ready to gel. Do we want to start that process all over again having just gotten James a season under his belt? We should resign both of these guys, and then take whatever assets we have left to upgrade at the PF. Terrance should not be untouchable. Coffey either. Norm is a good chip but Law correctly pointed out recently that Norm is just a really good fit here in his role. Perhaps Bones could fill that though. We do have some pick swaps over the next few years and Zu to build around with Journeymen pieces to prevent from slipping totally off a cliff until the next era. But it does sucks that we can’t aggregate players in a trade because we’re over the aprons.

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 17:11:23 +0000

I’m not as negative about PG as others in Clipper Nation. I think he had a great regular season as the #2 option and I don’t think he got to play that role in the playoffs b/c Kawhi got hurt. Had Kawhi been healthy, I think PG would’ve shot us into the 2nd round and probably into the conference finals. The chances of PG going to Philly are reasonably high because of the money, the potential fit with Philly and the ability to play with 2 stars who are younger and collectively better than Kawhi/Harden at the current stage of their careers.

That said, since the team has invested in Kawhi for the next 3 seasons, I think the goal should be to optimize his longevity and productivity. I think that means moving him to the #3 spot, which means that PG should probably be moved to make room for a true starting #4. We’ll lose something in terms of shot making ability and shooting efficiency, but we will gain with better rebounding, a healthier Kawhi and a more balanced starting 5 lineup. The other issue is that we won’t likely gain a comparable talent to PG at the #4 b/c a guy like Pascal Siakam appears out of reach unless both players were willing to accept some sort of sign and trade package. In the modern NBA, you need credibility at every position, similar to MLB and the NFL or even soccer, no matter how good your star power is on paper.

If PG ends up staying with LAC, then we do need to move a Norm Powell, Russ, and an Amir Coffey or Bones type to get a John Collins type (ahem, PJ Washington would’ve been a good pickup at this spot when he was available). Obi Toppin is a free agent but he would fill a void as well with extra money available to get more wing/shooting depth to make up for a PG departure.

It’s all up in the air b/c PG controls his own destiny at the moment and there are quality suitors out there for him.