Philadelphia 76ers forward, Paul George, is set to return after serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, but made it clear his decision stemmed from deeper struggles tied to injury and mental health.
“To let people down hurt more than kind of anything,” George said.
George apologised to teammates, fans and his family, while also shedding light on the circumstances behind the failed test.
“The most difficult thing is when your body isn’t where you know it needs to be or where it once was,” George said speaking from the team’s facility in Camden, New Jersey. “That leads and bleeds into the mental side of things, knowing that you’re limited. But for me, I feel good, my body is feeling great. Mentally, I know I’m capable of doing what I can do and what I’ve been able to on the court for years.”
The 35-year-old’s first season in Philadelphia hasn’t gone to plan. Injuries to his knee and adductor limited him to just 27 games, while offseason surgery caused him to miss the opening 12 games entirely. That physical setback, George admitted, played a major role in his decision-making.
“Being a pro athlete takes a toll on you,” George said. “My body wasn’t where I wanted it to be. The expectations to perform because of my body not being where it needed to be, obviously, I’m going to have an expectation for myself. That’s what led to a poor decision at the time.”
The suspension came at a cost, both on and off the court. George forfeited roughly $11.7 million from his $51.7 million salary, while the Sixers went 13-12 in his absence and now sit in the play-in mix in the Eastern Conference.
“I’ve said it throughout my career, dealing with mental health, I’m no superhero,” George said. “I’m human, and I made a mistake in that moment.”
READ MORE: Austin Reaves Opens Up on Lakers’ Winning Mentality