Paul George on Pacers fans after All-Star Weekend in Indy: 'Hopefully that was their closing of a chapter'
The former Pacer has heard loud boos whenever he returns to Indianapolis since wanting to be traded in 2017. He enjoyed his visit back in the city and is eager to move on. Will fans join him?
Paul George wants to move on and he hopes the feeling is mutual for Pacers fans.
After spending the weekend back in Indianapolis, back where he played from 2010 to 2017, he returns to Los Angeles encouraged by his visit. George has heard boos from Pacers fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since he asked out in 2017. And while there were some boos from the All-Star crowd Sunday evening, he wants that and any negative feelings to be in the past.
“Hopefully it boiled over and we both can respect the time that we had together, the relationship that we had together,” George said. “I hold no grudges. Hopefully that was their closing of a chapter.
“Being out yesterday and being in the city and being around people that can touch me and share their stories while I was here, it meant a lot. I think those interactions helped me just feel better and understand that I think people have gotten over the bad times.
George inevitably had mixed feelings about his ninth All-Star appearance being played in Indianapolis. He had some very good years here.
It’s where he was drafted by Larry Bird, went from role player to starter and then All-Star. It’s where he matured, emerged as the face of a franchise, became a father and a member of Team USA.
But then he asked to be dealt in 2017 — what team president Kevin Pritchard called “a total gut-punch” — and eventually was to Oklahoma City. He’s been in the Western Conference ever since.
After seven years with the Pacers, he’s now in his seventh season since being traded.