Paul George is one of the league’s most formidable offensive threats, a reputation he has carried since his days with the Indiana Pacers. His on-court prowess boasts Hall of Fame-worthy skills, blending a remarkable combination of size and guard-like finesse. His elite defensive ability sets him apart even further. He is equally capable of shutting down fellow skilled wings or outpacing shorter, faster guards. However, despite being a well-rounded and complete player, Paul George remains without the one accolade that cements a player’s legacy in the annals of NBA history.
Adding to the intrigue, the notorious Stephen A. Smith, known for his unflinching and candid remarks, recently put Paul George in the hot seat. Demonstrating his knack for making people confront tough questions head-on, Smith fearlessly asked the question fans have been itching to know.
Smith questions Paul George on failing to deliver a championship
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In continuation of his antics towards Paul George earlier this year, Smith presented George with an uncomfortable question. Paul George recently appeared on the The Stephen A. Smith Show. The duo joined forces to discuss the upcoming NBA season, Paul George’s new podcast, “The P Show,” and various facets of life.
In the early moments of their conversation, Smith wasted no time and asked Paul George a direct question, inquiring about the reasons behind his championship drought. George, accustomed to Smith’s straightforwardness, promptly shared his perspective.
“The only thing i can answer to that is just unfortunate events. And for me its just been injuries. Every chance and opportunity that I’ve had, since Indiana, has fallen short because of an injury. People don’t know the Utah series my first year in Okhlahoma, I had partial torn meniscus. My game started to decline as the medicine was wearing off. You watch the end of that series, I was barely moving, I was barely creating separation on stuff. Just coz I couldn’t move anymore at that point.”
PG then elaborated on how injuries have abruptly disrupted his career, emphasizing his time with Team USA. While with the national team, he endured one of the most gruesome injuries any player could encounter.
Paul suffered an open fracture that affected both his tibia and fibula, necessitating immediate surgery to address the issue. In this context, an open fracture signifies that the bones broke through the skin, exposing them to the external environment.
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This is not the first time Smith has questioned PG’s lack of chips
Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back in July this year as he aimed some verbal volleys at the All-Star. He utilized his platform to openly criticize Paul George for his absence of championship victories.
“Did you know you were the 34th highest paid athlete in the world, for the year 2023? $51.5M total and $9.3M in endorsements. I could say I’m waiting for a championship, Paul George, for that kind of money,” Smith mocked George.
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Interestingly, the verbal exchange stemmed from an incident on Paul George’s podcast. George’s co-host, Jackie Long, decided to scrutinize Stephen A. Smith’s qualifications. Long directly questioned whether Smith ever experienced a professional sports career. His insinuation challenged Smith’s credibility, suggesting he had no grounds to pass judgment on and critique NBA athletes due to his lack of experience in the league.