Paris Olympics: Paul George Will Refuse Team USA ‘Replacement’ Call Up After Initial Snub

The LA Clippers’ Paul George‘ Big 3  were expected to take this season by storm. However, the team couldn’t make it through the first round of the playoffs. With that out of their way, George turned his attention towards the Paris Olympics. But then faced another setback when he got snubbed from the team roster. Now, while others from the fraternity will represent the country in the 2024 Olympics, Paul George wants to sit back and watch the team play from the comforts of his house.

So, even if the team calls for his help as a “replacement”, he does not want to show up. He revealed the reasoning behind the matter on his podcast show. And his decisions are not based on mere pettiness, but rather on the actual need to be prepared.

George said, “You got to prepare for that you know”.  He continued, “You prepared with your family, you prepared with my wife. I prepared like a lot of stuff in the summer of like what we’ll do, so like now at this point it’s like ‘All right, well’”. George’s trouble stems from the fact that this is a momentous experience that can’t be prepared for at the last moment. After all, with his hard work and dedication, he could get the country a Gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

After having gone through that experience, he highlighted not being ready to wake up at 4 am every morning when in Paris. Despite this being his final decision, the Clippers star mentioned he would still miss the NBA-filled national team creating a core memory in France. “I would have FOMO knowing what we did, the fun we had, and the camaraderie we built, and the brotherhood that has lasted through that,” George continued.

“There’ll definitely be some FOMO, but like at the end of the day, I will be enjoying watching them from the comfort of wherever I’m at”. Describing them as “top dogs”, the small forward feels comfortable with the main lineup and would certainly watch them compete in one of the biggest sporting events of 2024.

How did Paul George perform in the 2016 Rio Olympics?

Going into the Rio Olympics, Paul George was part of a star-filled roster consisting of players like Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, etc. The then Indiana Pacers player was coming off a great season, and expectations were high on him to perform well. Looking back, one can draw the conclusion that he did not disappoint.

Paul George averaged 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. During a matchup against Venezuela, he recorded his highest score of 20 points. His effort as one of the leading scorers on the roster helped Team USA secure a 7-0 win record and earn a spot in the final game against Serbia.

Before the gold medal game, the player had developed a compound fracture on his leg. However, this didn’t stop him from doing what needed to be done. Despite the injury, he appeared in the final game against Serbia and proceeded to score 9 points and 3 steals. With Kevin Durant leading the scoring effort with his 30 points, Team USA pulled off a respectable lead and won the game by a score of 96-66.

It will be a shame to not have Paul George return. However, with players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and George’s teammate James Harden, the Olympic roster is set on its way to bringing home another gold medal!