Los Angeles Lakers: No reason to boo Paul George in LA
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers are hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first time since Paul George opted to stay with the Thunder rather than come to LA.
The Los Angeles Lakers opened up to max contract spots in the summer of 2018 and many expected the front office to lure in two frontline superstars. When it was announced that the team struck a deal with LeBron James on the first day of free agency, many assumed that Paul George was undoubtedly coming to LA.
Why else would LeBron and the Lakers want the news of him signing to get out so quickly? LeBron was meant to be the final luring piece for Paul George, who already had a very strong connection with the Lakers because of his Palmdale roots.
That is exactly the opposite of what happened. George decided to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder and a dysfunctional first season and signed a four-year contract worth $137 million.
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It became even worse for Lakers fans when George admitted that if he was never traded to Oklahoma City than he would have been wearing purple and gold this season. Instead, George got a season with Russell Westbrook and fell in love with OKC.
Now, George heads to the Staples Center for the first time since rejecting the Lakers last offseason and will not be squaring off with LeBron James, who is nursing a groin injury.
However, George will be squaring off with Laker fans, who might not be reacting too favorably to the hometown star wearing different colors. While George never really owed the Lakers anything, the reports and speculation around him were so prominent and so exciting that it is easy to feel burned by George as a fan.
George is not a villain. He did what he thinks is best for his career and his family and decided to stay somewhere that he grew comfortable. And while it may be a tough pill to swallow, it is a lot to play with LeBron James.
It is not James’ fault, however, the media and the overall spectacle of playing alongside LeBron is daunting to some. I understand if George did not want to be the scapegoat for all of the Lakers problems in the media if the team did not succeed.
Booing George at this point is pointless. He did nothing to hurt the Lakers. He did not agree to a contract and back out like DeAndre Jordan. He did not block a trade to the Lakers and didn’t attack the team in any way.
Next. Brandon Ingram stepping it up with LeBron out. dark
He simply did what every athlete should be doing: looking out for himself. Just because it did not benefit the Los Angeles Lakers does not mean you should boo him. Instead, cheer on the young core as they attempt to upset the Thunder without LeBron James.