Why is Paul George Upset with Pacers?

"We were joking with the guys, and they were like, you know, ‘Do you still get a tribute video when you go to Indiana?’ I was like, ‘I've never gotten a tribute video since I've been going back to Indiana,’ and that was eight years ago," George said. "It does, you know, it sucks. I think the way things played out still holds a grudge to them, and they don't realize the great runs we had in the time I was there."

Although Indiana experienced an Eastern Conference Finals run in the 2024 playoffs, respectfully, the George-era Pacers reached such status twice. 

Perhaps George has a point in the Pacers focusing on how their business relationship ended rather than the great stories they created together.

However, George's seemingly phony song-and-dance routine with the Pacers didn't sit well with the franchise, alluding to the inevitable: a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Eight years later, the lack of acknowledgment from their time together stings George.

"I won't take all the credit," George finished. "Obviously, we had an amazing team with Roy, George, David West, Danny, Lance Stephenson, but I thought I was a huge part of turning that program around, and, you know, it does suck. Obviously, there are some banners in there that I've raised or helped raise. Just the acknowledgment would have been appreciated, but it is what it is. 

To add salt to the wound, the Pacers played a highlight of the franchise's best play of the past two decades, and not a single clip included George. After eight years, it's not merely business; to the Pacers, it seems personal. George revealed his candid thoughts on why Indiana continues to snub the player who led them to two Eastern Conference Finals. 

"They're salty that I left and I thought I left for the right reasons for myself," George said. 

In the NBA's era of player empowerment, resentment can grow into an ugly sprout. However, the beautiful moments between players and the franchise should be celebrated, even if it means playing nice for a few minutes. 

According to Dustin Dopirack of the Indy Star, George's public grievances worked, as the Pacers will reportedly feature a tribute to their former star.

The Pacers have ample time to create such a tribute, as the 76ers don't return to Indiana for the rest of the 2024-25 season.