Paul George has been getting a lot of love from Philadelphia 76ers fans since he signed with the team this offseason, but Draymond Green has sent him a stern warning. On "Why is Draymond Green talking about football?" Green stated if George doesn't play well, he is going to get crushed by 76ers fans.
“Good luck, Paul George," Green said. "...Aww, he better play well or they're going to crush Paul George if he don't play well, oh my god."
“You know why they gonna crush Paul George if he play there? If he don't play well? Because they already got a nasty taste in their mouth from their last three that they had," Green added. "... Tobias Harris. They never felt like he brought it, so that's why, Paul George better play well."
I don't think Tobias Harris' disappointing stint with the 76ers has any impact on how George will be treated if he struggles. The fans don't exactly coddle their stars if they're going through a rough time on the court and that was always going to be the case here.
In fact, I'd say if Harris had done well, then George would have gotten harsher treatment if he didn't turn out to be a good enough upgrade. It somewhat works in the 34-year-old's favor that his predecessor had a rough stint, but he better play well, or else he will get crushed as Green mentioned.
The 76ers fans are desperate for a championship at this point, having last won one in 1983. All the playoff failures in the Joel Embiid era have only added to their frustrations and they are hoping that the addition of George gets them over the line. If he struggles in the postseason like he has in the past, he is going to get blasted.
As for George's thoughts on 76ers fans, he was asked about them during his introductory press conference. He claimed he wanted them to be as critical as they can be.
"Be as critical and as hard as you can," George said. "I think it's going to work out for myself and for the team. I'm looking forward to that. I'm not scared or shying away from that at any point, at any stage."
I'd say be careful what you wish for. The criticism is going to be unlike what George has gotten in the past. He hasn't really played for a team in this kind of market in his career and could be in for a rude shock when the going gets tough.
Draymond Green Was Unhappy That The Clippers Didn't Send Paul George To The Warriors
Before George signed his four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers, he was heavily linked to the Golden State Warriors. A sign-and-trade to the Warriors never materialized, though, with reports stating that the Los Angeles Clippers didn't want to send him there.
Green actually confirmed that George wanted to join the Warriors but stated the Clippers didn't cooperate. He realized they didn't want to send him to a division rival but wasn't happy about it.
Green later ripped the Clippers for disrespecting George by not doing right by him. I think a lot of Draymond's frustrations here stemmed from the fact that the Warriors could have gotten him. George would have given them a good shot at competing for another NBA title, but it wasn't to be.
