Paul George, who refused to give details about the failed doping test that earned him a 25-game suspension (losing $469,692 per game), claimed to be mentally and physically ready to get back on the court and help the Philadelphia 76ers in their playoff push over the final 10 games of the season. If Paul George, suspended at the end of January for violating the NBA’s anti-doping program rules, the Sixers have had a record of 13 wins and 12 losses.
My body was not in the condition I wanted. That is what led me to make a bad decision at that time
At the time of his suspension, the 35-year-old forward was averaging 16 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 30.5 minutes in the 27 games he played for the City of Brotherly Love team.
Paul George: “Letting people down hurts more than anything”
Before his reappearance, Paul George apologized to the team, its fans and his family for the error of judgment that led him to test positive for doping: “Letting people down hurts more than anything.”
The hardest thing is when your body is not where you know it should be or where it used to be. That influences the mental aspect, knowing that you are limited
The nine-time NBA All-Star confessed that his decision to take a banned substance was related to a mental health problem that developed as a result of a knee injury suffered during preseason, which limited his performance.
“The hardest thing is when your body is not where you know it should be or where it used to be. That influences the mental aspect, knowing that you are limited. But I feel good, my body is in great shape. Mentally, I know I’m capable of doing what I know how to do and what I’ve done on the court for years,” said the 2010 NBA Draft No. 10 pick.
Paul George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract as a free agent ahead of the 2024 season and underwent surgery on his left knee in July, shared that “being a professional athlete takes its toll”.
“My body wasn’t in the condition I wanted it to be in. Obviously, I had to perform at my best because my body wasn’t in optimal condition. That’s what led me to make a bad decision at that time,” said the Palmdale, California native.
Paul George: “These 25 games of suspension were just what I needed for my body”
Paul George shared that the suspension, which has cost him $11.7 million of his $51.7 million annual salary, has been good for him to recover: “I think these 25 games were just what I needed for my body.”
“I’ve said it throughout my career, dealing with mental health, I’m not a superhero. I’m human and I made a mistake at that moment,” the Sixers forward insisted.
Paul George told the Philadelphia press that he is ready to step in for the injured Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey: “I felt great, with the same explosiveness and strength as always. I feel like I’m back to my level, that I can be the key player and the top scorer.”
