Tyronn Lue has reacted to Paul George’s departure from the Los Angeles Clippers, emphasizing the motivation it brings to the team.
Earlier this offseason, George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending his five-year stint with the Clippers.
George and Kawhi Leonard had become the faces of the Clippers, leading the team through several playoff runs.
Lue acknowledged the challenge of losing a player of George’s caliber but expressed determination to prove the doubters wrong.
“When you lose a guy of Paul George’s stature, instantly people [think] oh, they can’t win or they’re not going to be competitive,” Lue told ESPN last week.
Lue sees this as an opportunity to push the team even harder, using the skepticism surrounding George’s departure as fuel.
“That just challenges me even more,” Lue said. “OK, people are counting us out or people don’t think we’re going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of [motivation]. I can’t wait to prove everybody wrong.”
Despite George’s absence, Lue remains confident in the Clippers’ ability to compete in the Western Conference.
Last season, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 33.8 minutes per game.
His departure leaves a significant gap in the Clippers’ lineup, but Lue believes the team has the talent and resilience to overcome it.
