George says he wants to retire as a Clipper
Paul George grew up rooting for the Los Angeles Clippers and he loves playing close to home.
He made it clear Friday where he sees his NBA future, saying, “I want to retire a Clipper.”
“This is where my heart is and I’m happy,” he said.
George’s first season back home ended in disappointment, with the Clippers blowing a 3-1 lead against Denver and losing in the second round of the playoffs. He averaged 21.5 points and 5.7 rebounds during the abbreviated season.
George wasn’t able to train normally during the 2019 offseason or participate in his first training camp with the Clippers after shoulder surgeries. He missed the first 11 games of the season, too.
“I’m my toughest critic,” he said. “I know what’s not good, what’s unacceptable. Last year was an unacceptable year for me. I know that.”
George and teammate Kawhi Leonard can become free agents after the upcoming season. New Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said he expects both players to be with the team for a long time.
The team doesn’t have to wait until next summer with George; it could sign him to an extension before then.
“I’m committed,” he said.
Baseball
MLB SUES >> Major League Baseball and all 30 of its teams are suing their insurance providers, citing billions of dollars in losses during the 2020 season played almost entirely without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The suit, filed in October in California Superior Court in Alameda County, was obtained Friday by The Associated Press, says providers AIG, Factory Mutual and Interstate Fire and Casualty Company have refused to pay claims made by MLB despite the league’s “all-risk” policy pur
chases.
RANGERS NAME GM >> The Texas Rangers hired Chris Young as executive vice president and general manager Friday, bringing the Major League Baseball executive home to work under president of baseball operations Jon Daniels, the club’s GM since 2005.
Young pitched 13 seasons in the majors, the first two with the Rangers after the 6-foot-10 two-sport standout grew up in Dallas and played baseball and basketball at Princeton. The 41-year-old had been with MLB since May 2018.
College football
SEC UPDATE >> The Southeastern Conference has announced a revamped schedule for Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, including Vanderbilt’s game at No. 11 Georgia that could not be played as scheduled today because of coronavirus concerns.
The rescheduled games announced Friday were made necessary following postponements due to the SEC’s COVID-19 protocols.
Vanderbilt was forced to postpone today’s game at Georgia because the Commodores’ roster fell below min
imum requirements. The game has been rescheduled for Dec. 19.
OHIO STATE PLANS TO PLAY >> No. 3 Ohio State appeared to be on track to play after school officials canceled last week’s trip to Illinois due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Ohio State said Friday in a statement it was prepared to travel Friday to East Lansing, Michigan, for its game today against Michigan State.
No. 13 Oklahoma also appears set to get back on the field after its game last week against West Virginia was postponed. The Sooners host Baylor today.
College basketball
MICHIGAN STATE SURVIVES >> Rocket Watts scored a career-high 23 points and No. 8 Michigan State started out flat against Detroit Mercy but avoided a huge upset, winning 83-76 on Friday night. The Spartans (4- 0) were coming off a road win over No. 6 Duke earlier this week.