76ers' Paul George Says 'It Sucks' He Hasn't Received Tribute Video from Pacers

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George starred on the Indiana Pacers for the first seven years of his career, but he hasn't gotten a tribute video on any return trips there since leaving the team in 2017.

George spoke with Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire on the matter.

"I'm not sure, you know?" George said when asked about it. "We were joking with the guys, and they were like, you know, 'Do you still get a tribute video when you go to Indiana?' I was like 'I've never gotten a tribute video since I've been going back to Indiana' and that was eight years ago. It does, you know, it sucks. I think the way things played out still holds a grudge to them and they don't realize the great runs we had in the time I was there."

The Pacers went to the playoffs in six of George's seven years, including back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals runs in 2013 and 2014. The only year the Pacers missed the playoffs was 2014-15, when George was out for all but six games after suffering an open fracture of his right tibia and fibula at a Team USA showcase in Aug. 2014.

George made the All-NBA Third Team three times and the All-Star team on four occasions. From 2013-2017, George averaged 22.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

So he did quite well in Indiana. The problem might be with his exit. Mike McDaniel of Sports Illustrated explained.

"George spent seven seasons in Indiana, but the relationship ended tumultuously following the 2016-17 season," McDaniel wrote.

"George had one year remaining on his contract with the Pacers, and it became known through the media that he preferred to play out west in his native Los Angeles area when he hit free agency. He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder that summer, and has since played for the Los Angeles Clippers and now, the 76ers."

George's Pacers resume is certainly enough for a tribute video, at least, so there's obviously a mitigating factor here.

If there's ever a video, it likely won't be done in 2024-25 unless the two teams somehow meet in the playoffs or play-in tournament. Philadelphia and Indiana meet once more this regular season, but that game will be in Philly on March 14.