Sports fans are never afraid to show their ire if they feel like a player has betrayed their team, and of all the leagues where players hop around to new teams, the NBA is likely the most unforgiving.
From burning jerseys to raining down on the player with boos and jeers, NBA fans know how to let their former idols have it.
Some players are eventually forgiven, such as the case when Vince Carter left the Raptors in bitter fashion. After over a decade of spiteful Raps fans giving him an earful, Carter finally returned to the city and received an emotional standing ovation.
Another example of a player achieving forgiveness can be seen in the case of LeBron James. One of the game's all-time greats infamously left the Cleveland Cavaliers in his poorly planned TV special "The Decision", only to return to the city and bring them to three consecutive finals appearances. In other cases, the player is never forgiven (something we expect from a certain former member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.)
When Paul George left the Indiana Pacers in search of bigger and better things alongside Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, the Pacers' faithful did not take it well. As expected, George received the usual villain treatment when he returned to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
While the spiteful jeering is understandable and expected, the Pacers' video team took a weird jab at George that was so petty it may as well have included throwing a pie in the former Pacers' face. In a compilation video reflecting back on all the franchise greats, Paul George was not-so-accidentally overlooked.
Paul George did a lot for the franchise, and maybe one day he will be recognized for what he did on the court rather then how it all ended. For now we can only roll our eyes at what can only be described as a strange and petty shot at PG13.
(H/T FTW)
