Paul George recently made his debut on ABC’s NBA Finals coverage, joining the NBA Countdown panel alongside Stephen A. Smith.
While George received praise for his insights on the playoffs, a remark from Smith drew his ire.
During the pregame broadcast, Smith quipped:
“Nobody on the planet knows what it’s like to play without a star more than Paul George,” referencing George’s Clippers teammate Kawhi Leonard, who has been plagued by injuries. Although George initially laughed it off, he expressed his discomfort with the comment on a recent episode of Podcast P.
“I didn’t appreciate that moment. I respect Stephen A., but I think he should let it go,” George said. “Kawhi wants to play, and I’ll keep emphasizing that. It’s not fair to portray Kawhi as someone who doesn’t want to be out there. We leaned heavily on Kawhi this season, and there’s only so much his body can endure.”
George admitted he chuckled to keep things light on air but felt Smith’s remark crossed a line:
“Deep down, I didn’t think it was necessary,” George added. “You’ve got to let that go, Stephen A.”
Aside from the controversy, George’s potential free agency also sparked discussion on the NBA Countdown set, especially when Joel Embiid hinted at the possibility of teaming up with George on the Philadelphia 76ers.