Nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George has officially signed with the Philadelphia 76ers after five successful seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 76ers put in a significant effort to recruit George, making it clear how much they valued adding him to their roster.
The recruitment process involved a high-profile visit to George’s home in Los Angeles by key figures from the 76ers organization, including team owners, management, and Sixers legend Julius Erving. To further entice George, the team presented him with a specially crafted video featuring messages from notable Philadelphia personalities.
The video included appearances by Saquon Barkley from the Philadelphia Eagles, comedians Lil Dicky and Kevin Hart, and MLB star Mike Trout.
“Saquon was in it, Lil Dicky, Kevin Hart, Mike Trout—it was just a ton of like they did this cool thing of Philly natives talking about the city and what the Sixers mean to them and what it’ll mean me coming there. So it was a cool video; it had a lot of energy behind the city,” Paul George said.
Mike Trout, who grew up just outside of Philadelphia, has strong ties to the city. He is a dedicated fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Philadelphia Eagles, making his involvement in the recruitment video particularly meaningful.
“I never wanted to leave L.A. Initially, I was not trying to leave L.A. L.A. is home. This is where I wanted to finish,” George admitted in an interview with CBS News.
One of the driving factors behind George’s decision to leave the Clippers was what he described as a ‘disrespectful’ initial contract offer. In contrast, the 76ers presented him with a four-year, $212 million max contract, which he accepted.
Meanwhile, Mike Trout, the 11-time All-Star, is making strides in his recovery from knee surgery. Trout, who has been on the injured list since April 30, has been gradually increasing his activity levels. On Monday, he participated in soft toss exercises and jogged outdoors for the first time since his injury without using a treadmill.
“I feel great, I feel fine, and I’m progressing the way I should be. It’s good to get out there and start moving around instead of being in the weight room and the cage. It’s all about the progression of running. I feel good hitting. I took 30 swings out there with no pain at all,” Trout shared with MLB.com.
Before his injury, Trout was batting .220 with 10 home runs, 14 RBIs, and six stolen bases in 29 games. His recovery progress is encouraging for fans eager to see him return to the field.
Paul George’s move to the 76ers and Mike Trout’s ongoing recovery both highlight significant moments in the world of sports, promising exciting developments for the future.
