Amid his positive first experiences with the Philadelphia 76ers, star wing Paul George reflected on the importance of team culture. Afterward, the nine-time All-Star highlighted the end of his early-career tenure with the Indiana Pacers as an example of a franchise’s culture gone wrong.
George joined Philadelphia on a four-year, $211.6 million maximum contract in July, marking his fourth team. On Monday’s season three premiere of “Podcast P with Paul George,” he touched on blending into the Sixers’ culture.
According to George, Philly coach Nick Nurse has provided a “great environment to practice and get better.” He added that the 2019 NBA champion is a “great leader” and he’s “enjoying being part of the Sixers.” However, later in the podcast, George recounted his contrasting experiences with Indiana.
No. 10 by the Pacers in the 2010 NBA draft, George enjoyed immense success. He led the franchise to back-to-back Eastern Conference finals appearances in 2013 and 2014, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s premier stars.
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Nevertheless, according to George, during his final years in Indiana, he and the organization had a disconnect surrounding the Pacers’ roster construction.
“What people don’t talk about is the connection between the front office, coach and players because I’ve been on teams, for the most part, where there’s been great culture. But I know, for sure, during my latter days in Indiana, the culture just wasn’t there,” George said.
“For me, I was mentally checked out with the front office not doing what I thought was enough to make a team that could compete at a high level.”
George added that Indiana’s team culture ultimately suffered, as he grew tired of shouldering too heavy a load.
“I wasn’t mature enough at that time to be like, ‘Let me control what I can control,'” George said. “It kind of bled into the wrong part of that team and allowed myself not to be fully engaged.”
In 2017, George was shipped to the OKC Thunder in a blockbuster deal, ending his seven-year Pacers tenure. Despite his self-professed desire to be traded, he has only made one conference finals appearance since.
Paul George says he apologized to former Pacers teammate Myles Turner for his lack of leadership
While Paul George didn’t see eye to eye with Indiana’s front office, he noted that he took accountability for his poor response.
According to George, he later apologized to his ex-Pacers teammate Myles Turner for “checking out” on his team.
“We had young guys. I talked to Myles Turner about this. I apologized to him for not being a great vet at that time because I was mentally checked out,” George said.
However, entering Year 15, George is seemingly in a much better place as he prepares for perhaps his best shot at winning his first title. He will play alongside Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid and star guard Tyrese Maxey, likely alleviating pressure on him offensively.
