Los Angeles Clippers

Paul George on Clippers’ lack of chemistry: ‘We didn’t practice during the whole year’

Published by
Brad Sullivan

In the opinion of Paul George, the shocking demise of the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2020 NBA Playoffs was the byproduct of overconfidence and a lack of practice time by the team.

George appeared on the “All the Smoke” podcast and recounted (at the 4:12 mark) how the Clippers seemingly assumed that their status as championship favorites would be enough to capture the franchise’s first title.

“We wasn’t prepared, we didn’t put the work into it,” George said. “It was just kind of just like, we got PG (George), we got Kawhi [Leonard]. We got Lou [Williams], Trez (Montrezl Harrell). We gonna be straight. We gonna figure it out.”

In addition, George acknowledged that the Clippers’ lack of practice time ended up costing them in crucial situations.

“We didn’t practice during the whole year,” George said. “That’s hard to do when you’re putting a fresh new group of guys together because the problems you have during games, those shits can get ironed out in practice. You’re gonna bump heads in practice, but you’re gonna come out of that practice like, ‘Ok, I understand this dude. I know where he coming from.’ When it happens during games, it’s gonna rub a little differently.”

After the Clippers watched a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals disappear and end their season, George was the target of some severe criticism, including from some teammates.

The collapse cost Clippers head coach Doc Rivers his job, with George now apparently aware of the steps it takes to become a championship team in the NBA.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

9 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago