The former NBA star is set to rejoin the 76ers on Wednesday vs. Chicago after clearing his 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug program.
Paul George immediately offered his apologies to the Philadelphia 76ers, fans and supporters for letting them down in the wake of the end of his 25-game suspension from violating the league's Anti-Drug program.
Philadelphia 76ers / Schedule
George made his first media address on Tuesday, over a month after he was slapped with a major punishment by the league. He is now set to rejoin the 76ers on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls.
"Obviously, to own up to that as a leader of this group and being brought here to be a leader and help bring you know that edge and a possibility and chance to win here, to let people down hurt more than kind of anything going through this process," George said. "Shoutout to the guys for having my back, for supporting me through this time, to where now things are on the positive side and looking forward to tomorrow and being available and giving everything I got."
George didn't provide any specifics about the banned substance he used. But the 76ers star linked it to his mental health struggles out of the offseason knee surgery he took that affected his performance this year.
George only played 27 games this year. He is averaging 16.0 points — the lowest since his second season — while shooting 42.4 percent from the field. He is currently on the second season of the four-year, $212 million max contract he inked with the franchise as an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
"Obviously, being a pro athlete takes a toll on you, and my body wasn't where I wanted it to be, and the expectation to perform—because of my body not being where it needed to be. Obviously, I'm going to have an expectation for myself, and that's what led the poor decision at the time," George stressed out.
"Again, I've said it, throughout my career dealing with mental health. I'm no superhero. I'm a human, and I made a mistake in that moment."
Paul George
Paul George
Paul George
MIN: 30.51
PTS: 15.96 (50%)
REB: 5.19
AS: 3.7
ST: 1.48
BL: 0.48
TO: 1.63
GM: 27
The 25-game ban cost George approximately $11.7 million in forfeited salary. Due to his absence as well, the 76ers also find themselves in a tough spot, with both franchise stars Joel Embiid (oblique) and Tyrese Maxey (finger) unavailable on a significant basis.
Entering Monday's game, the Sixers (39-33) are in a tight battle with the Raptors, Hawks, Heat, Magic and Hornets for the No. 5 and No. 6 seed of the Eastern Conference.
But now, George stands steadfast to redeem himself and repay the franchise's support for his unexpected suspension.
"My body was getting better and better over that time, but again, the front office gave me full support, and although from my point of view, I knew I let them down, they were there to kind of pick me up and carry me along the way to reassure me that we'll get through this and this will be behind us," George said.
"For me, the only way to pay it back is to just give everything once I get back out there, and so that's just what I'm excited for go out there and just give it everything."
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