Philadelphia fans don’t hold back. Not their love and certainly not their hate. And Paul George just learned that the hard way.
Philadelphia fans are known for their intensity. Whether it’s love or hate, they don’t hold back. Paul George found out the hard way.
On Friday night, George and some of his 76ers teammates attended WWE SmackDown in Philly, likely expecting a warm hometown reception. Instead, they were met with boos that echoed through the arena.
And we’re not talking about just a few unhappy fans—this was loud enough to be heard on the USA Network broadcast, forcing the announcers to acknowledge it. Why? Philly fans are fed up with their team’s rough season, and George has become a symbol of that frustration.
Fans Roast PG: “Everywhere But on the Court”
You’d think seeing your hometown players at a WWE event would get fans excited, right? Not in Philly, not this season.
With the 76ers sitting at a rough 21-41 record, the city’s fans aren’t in a forgiving mood. When George’s face showed up on the jumbotron, the crowd let him hear it.
It wasn’t just boos in the arena either. Fans took to social media to pile on. One comment summed up the frustration: “Everywhere but on the court.”
Another tweet read: “Retire & do a podcast full-time.”
The message from Philly fans was clear—they’re over this season, and George is their target.
Philly Fans Turn on Paul George as Sixers’ Season Falls Apart
The Sixers’ season has spiraled, wrecked by injuries and poor play. A team that was once considered a playoff lock is now on pace for its worst season since its 10-72 finish in 2016.
Paul George isn’t doing much to help, either. He’s having his worst scoring season in a decade, averaging just 16.2 points per game—not what fans expected when he joined the team.
During SmackDown, George held up a custom 76ers championship belt, but the crowd wasn’t impressed. As soon as his face hit the screen, the boos rained down. Even the commentators couldn’t ignore how loud the crowd was.
And honestly, it’s not surprising.
Philly fans expect effort, grit, and results. Right now, they’re not seeing any of that from their team. So if you’re going to show up at a wrestling event holding a fake title belt, you’d better believe they’re going to let you hear it.
Can Paul George win back the fans? Maybe, but it’s going to take a lot more than showing up at a WWE event to make that happen.