Podcast P With Paul George: "Clippers Season, Westbrook’s Future, Giannis’ Failure Comments, & More"

We share highlights from today’s episode of ‘Podcast P With Paul George’, presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, which features PG and the guys coming together for the first time since the Clippers’ 4-1 series loss to the Phoenix Suns.

In the episode, PG shares his own frustrations about not being able to get healthy in time for the series, shares why he and Kawhi remain committed to doing everything they can to bring a championship to the Clippers.

Later in the episode, PG breaks down Russell Westbrook’s positive impact on the team and further reiterates his case for why the team should do everything they can to keep him on the team.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[00:28] PAUL GEORGE ON THE FRUSTRATION OF MISSING OUT ON THE CLIPPERS FIRST ROUND SERIES

"This was very much a series we I think should have won and could have gotten past if we [were] healthy. Absolutely I believe we had everything to beat Phoenix. It's frustrating especially as years go up, you look back at this shit and like damn another year – not necessarily wasted – but another year of not getting a chance to compete. To get to the finish line and not be able to compete is the hardest part of it all."

[03:18] ON RUSSELL WESTBROOK'S POSITIVE IMPACT

"He delivered! There was a reason I was willing to stick my neck out and vouch for him. He delivered. He came and was an unbelievable locker room guy, great energy, great leader and I think what L [Lawrence Frank] loved most about bringing him in was he was just very adaptable. His role changed when we first got him with myself and Kawhi out there, to when I went down and it was just him and Kawhi, to when Kawhi went down and it was just him...I was just proud he answered the bell. Back against the ropes, everybody questioned him as a player...He wowed everybody, he surprised everybody, and he earned that respect back and that's what I was most proud just as a friend, and a brother, someone who highly supported him."

[10:36] PG ADDRESSING FANS AND MEDIA QUESTIONING HIS ABILITY TO COME BACK AND PLAY THROUGH INJURY

"The biggest concern, when the injury first happened, was [that] my leg felt like it was going to buckle and go the other way every time I took a step. So when you got that on your mind and you're coming back, you're thinking about that like damn, if I take this step, I know I'm not ready yet. I was going through the workouts and like ‘yeah I look good doing shit but I’m not doing it the same level these guys are doing it right now.’"

[14:50] ON WHY THE CLIPPERS NEED TO BRING BACK RUSSELL WESTBROOK

"He proved that he is a leader. He proved that he's got a lot left in the tank and for a team like us, the more guys that can be versatile, the better for us. To have a playmaker, have a leader, have a score, just a floor general, a rebounder, he just covers so many holes and wears so many hats. He's everywhere...He's just so valuable. We saw what it looks like [and] we know it works. We know it can be successful. We gotta get him back. I want him back."

[21:36] PG ON HIS PARTING MESSAGE TO CLIPPER NATION TO CLOSE OUT THE SEASON AND WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE TEAM

"Putting myself into a fan's shoes, I get it. It is frustrating, because to them, year after year they're going through the same lulls of we got a great team, we got a chance to win, and then boom there's something that happens, whether I get injured, Kawhi get injured. Or years before I got here. Not having a star player or not being able to get over the hump. So I get it. But, I will say, myself, Kawhi we're doing everything we can. I train every summer to try and win a championship. I don't take my summers for granted, neither does Kawhi like we're gonna get this shit right at some point...We came over here for a reason and that was to win a championship for LA, for [Steve] Ballmer, for our legacy. So to the Clipper nation and Clippers fans, we carry that burden and we're gonna get that shit right at some point."