Joel Embiid Finally Reveals Why NBA Players Can’t Stand Paul George: The Real Story Behind the League’s Most Controversial Star
When Joel Embiid speaks, the basketball world listens. This time, his words have sent shockwaves throughout the NBA, as the reigning MVP revealed the real reasons why so many players have grown to resent Paul George—a superstar whose reputation has taken a dramatic turn for the worse.
The Miami Meeting That Changed Everything
It all started with what should have been a routine team meeting in Miami. The Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off signing Paul George to a $212 million deal and forming a “Big Three” with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, were expected to dominate the league. Instead, they stumbled out of the gates, their championship dreams quickly unraveling.
Frustration boiled over behind closed doors. The team’s young star, Tyrese Maxey, boldly confronted Embiid about his chronic lateness, calling out the former MVP for setting a negative example. The meeting was raw, emotional, and—by the unwritten rules of the NBA—supposed to remain private.
But less than 24 hours later, ESPN’s Shams Charania had detailed, near-verbatim quotes from the meeting. The sacred trust of the locker room was shattered. Embiid was livid, calling the leaker a “real piece of [expletive]” and vowing never to participate in another team meeting. The betrayal ran deep, and suspicion immediately fell on the newest—and most media-savvy—member of the team: Paul George.
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The Leak Heard Around the League
Paul George, host of the popular “Podcast P,” had built a brand around public commentary and media engagement. Fans and teammates alike began to suspect that George, still an outsider in the Sixers’ locker room, was responsible for the leak. The circumstantial evidence was hard to ignore—George’s history of questionable media decisions, his newcomer status, and his focus on building his personal brand.
Whether or not George was the actual leaker, the damage was done. Team chemistry was destroyed, trust was at an all-time low, and the Sixers’ season spiraled into disaster. The “Big Three” experiment became one of the league’s most expensive failures.
A Pattern of Broken Trust
The Miami incident wasn’t an isolated event. As Embiid and others pointed out, Paul George’s career has been marked by a series of conflicts, broken relationships, and locker room drama. From public feuds with stars like Damian Lillard and Devin Booker to clashes with teammates and coaches, George has developed a reputation for creating problems and then walking away when things get tough.
Perhaps most telling is the way George handles adversity. Instead of owning up to his mistakes, he’s often blamed others, aired grievances in the media, or focused on his podcast rather than the game. His infamous “bad shot” comment after Lillard’s legendary playoff buzzer-beater became a symbol of his sore-loser mentality and lack of accountability.
Never Living Up to the Hype
Despite his immense talent—nine All-Star appearances, elite shooting, and defensive skills—George’s teams have consistently underperformed in the playoffs. From the Pacers to the Thunder, Clippers, and now the Sixers, he’s left behind a trail of disappointment, missed opportunities, and burned bridges.
His tenure with the Clippers, in particular, ended in spectacular failure. After mortgaging their future to acquire him, the Clippers suffered one of the worst playoff collapses in NBA history, blowing a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets. George’s poor performance in Game 7 earned him the infamous nickname “Pandemic P,” a moniker that still haunts him today.
Prioritizing Brand Over Basketball
One of the biggest criticisms from both fans and players is that George seems more interested in building his media presence than winning basketball games. While his team floundered, George was busy recording podcast episodes and creating content—actions that many saw as evidence of misplaced priorities and a lack of commitment to his teammates.
The Final Verdict
Joel Embiid’s candid comments have crystallized what many in the league have long suspected: Paul George is a talented player whose own actions have made him one of the NBA’s most disliked figures. Whether it’s leaking private conversations, dodging responsibility, or putting personal interests above the team, George’s pattern of behavior has eroded trust and respect among his peers.
The Miami meeting was just the tipping point—a moment that exposed the deeper issues at play. As Embiid put it, “It’s hard being around people that do those sorts of stuff. Once you cross that, you can’t expect me to be part of a team meeting again.”
For the Sixers and for Paul George, the fallout has been devastating. And for NBA fans, it’s a stark reminder that talent alone isn’t enough—character, trust, and accountability still matter in the world’s greatest basketball league.
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