76ers star almost got ‘knocked the f–k out’ by former teammate for not playing defense in the postseason

Nine-time All-Star Paul George is embarking on the next chapter of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving behind the city where he achieved much of his success.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for George in LA, however. The Clippers never appeared in the NBA Finals during Paul’s tenure, and his stint wasn’t without drama.

In a recent article for The Player’s Tribune, former Clipper teammate Montrezl Harrell detailed how he threatened to knock out George for missing a defensive assignment during their 3-1 series collapse to Denver in 2020.

I get back — we’re basically in the playoffs. Fast forward, and we’re in the middle of a game versus Denver. We set up a play. Everybody says they’re switching one through five type shit. Everybody knows coverage. Then in the game, the situation comes. It’s in the pick-and-roll with PG, Jamal Murray, Jokić, and me.

Screen comes, I yell, “Switch!” We switch it. He still fights over the screen. Jokić slips down the middle of the lane — boom — shoots and gets the points. Doc calls a time-out just like that.

On the way over to the huddle, I say, “Bro, that’s a switch, P.” 

He’s like, “No, I thought—”

And I’m like, “Bro, ain’t no ‘I thought.’” I said, “It’s a switch, bro. Everybody in this shit knows the coverage but you.”

He was like, “Hey, who are you talking to?”

I told P right then and there, in front of coaches and everybody, “I will knock you the fuck out, bro. You’re trippin’. You was wrong, bro. You’re WRONG.” 

I can look back on that now and realize I went too far in the heat of the moment. I realize this is a business and you can’t talk like that to the star player. But when you’re going through grief, you only see what’s right in front of you.

Harrell stated the death of his grandmother was the source of his anger.

It isn’t the first time George has been involved in scuffles on the court, most notably with new teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. in multiple instances.

George hopes to leave the theatrics in the past as he pursues his first NBA title alongside former MVP Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey.

welcome to Philadelphia, @Yg_Trece! pic.twitter.com/lWPae9FiTc

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 7, 2024