Like every American, Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George was watching Team USA 's' thrilling semifinal game against Serbia in the 2024 Olympics.
While George said he felt patriotic about his fellow NBA stars' come-from-behind win over the Nikola Jokic-led squad, the 9-time NBA All-Star was also a little envious about not being actually there and helping the team prevent a historic upset.
"I did like watching that and just that spirit of playing for the country," said George on Podcast P. "Like, I ain't gonna lie. It was like a regret of, like, damn, I should have done more to try to make this team. Like I should have because I got reached out the second time about
'Man, you sure you don't want to be on this?' Ah, I was salty. I wasn't picked on the first go-round," Paul added.
PG has played for Team USA before
George is no stranger to donning the Stars and Stripes. He was a member of the 2016 U.S. men's basketball team that won the gold medal in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. PG was one of four players on that team that averaged in double digits at 11.3 points per game. He led the Americans with 20 points in their 113-69 thrashing of Venezuela in the group stage.
In December 2023, Paul revealed that he was approached by Golden State head coach Steve Kerr after a Warriors vs. Clippers game. PG said Kerr gauged his interest in playing for USAB by asking him if he had plans to play in Paris . He didn't reveal what his reply to the Dubs coach was, but after watching Steph, KD, and LeBron's heroics, George wished he was there too.
"So I did have regrets," added PG. "Like, man, I should have been there. Like that's what you want to play for, that moment."
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Waiting for the call
During an appearance on Carmelo Anthony's 7PM in Brooklyn podcast last month, George revealed that he thought he was going to be selected to the team because of his initial conversation with Kerr. However, Paul said he kept on waiting for a call that never came .
"I thought I was in. Fast forward, my group, Aaron and them, reached out to Team USA and talked to Grant Hill to inform them of my interest. I told them if I finished the season healthy, which had been an issue for me in LA, I'd definitely want to play," PG revealed .
While George didn't say when Team USA finally reached out to him, that could have been when Kawhi Leonard withdrew. If Paul's story is true, then he declined to be Kawhi's replacement, and that spot went to Derrick White.
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