2024’s Team USA, Dream Team 2.0, The Avengers, or whatever you proudly call them, are seen as one of the greatest rosters ever put together. It featured 3 best players of the modern era, alongside rising stars and NBA Champions. Considering the endless talent pool, there are quite some players who didn’t make the team for certain reasons. Jaylen Brown was a name that was overlooked, even after Kawhi Leonard withdrew. On the other hand, one particular player admitted to not participating for an egoistic reason. Paul George was looking to make his second Olympic appearance but backed out after USA Basketball reached out to him rather late!

In his latest podcast episode, PG shared his thoughts about wanting to be on LeBron James’ Avengers side. “I ain’t gonna lie it was like a regret of like damn I should have done more to try to make this team. I should have, ’cause I got reached out the second time about ‘Man, you sure you don’t wanna be on this’… Like I was salty, I wasn’t picked on the first go around so.”

“I did have regrets of like man, I should have been there. Like that’s what you want to play for. That moment,” he said on Podcast P with Paul George. Well, it is safe to say that the player pool was quite competitive. However, at the end of the day, it would’ve been a golden opportunity for PG to play in Paris. Now, George’s negative response to the call for the second go-around was justifiable to a certain extent. You may ask, why?

Well, PG had the most efficient season of his career. While his numbers did face a downfall in the postseason, PG was still on his best version. He averaged more than 22 points alongside 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting over 47% from the field and 41% from long range. There is no doubt that he would’ve been a great replacement for Kawhi Leonard, but then again, now it is only to wonder.

A few days ago, Grant Hill narrated a similar story about his decision-making process with Team USA. He admitted that he dialed certain big names before he could reveal the Olympic roster. “When we first put out the roster back in April, before it was announced, I called certain guys. I called Paul George, I called Damian Lillard, I called Jaylen Brown. I felt like they were of a certain stature where they deserved to hear it before it was made public,” the Managing Director admitted on Open Run.

Moreover, it would’ve been amazing to see him share the floor with Steph, Bron, and KD in Paris. He already won his first Olympic Gold in 2016. But it wouldn’t have hurt to add another to his collection. Besides, this also could’ve been a headstart for PG, playing with his new teammate, Joel Embiid. Now that Team USA won its 5th consecutive gold, the new Sixer had nothing but respect for the Steve Kerr-led squad, especially after the semi-final game.

Paul George couldn’t control his patriotism watching Team USA, Steph Curry put France final “up there”

The Americans made one of the wildest comebacks in Olympic basketball history. Down by 13, entering the fourth quarter, LeBron James and Co. went on to make a historic run in the semi-finals. The game was a ‘Proud to be an American’ moment for Paul George. “This is what, like, I’m proud to be an American. You know what I mean? I felt cheesy,” PG admitted. Stephen Curry‘s 36 points with King James and KD draining clutch shots led the squad to the Finals.

The veteran carried that form in that Finals and kept Victor Wembanyama and Vincent Collet’s team at arm’s length. A 3-point lifetime special by the Splash Brother had even the sharpshooter make a big admission after the game about his performance. “I don’t know what to tell y’all all man. This is wild bro. Done a lot in the game. This right here, this is up there!” Steph Curry said while directly addressing his fanbase on an Instagram Live.

It definitely will be a ‘what if’ moment of PG’s career, as one wonders what could’ve been, had Paul George agreed to play.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts about George turning down the offer? Do you think he would’ve been a better Kawhi replacement? Let us know in the comments.

Feel that you can do with another update from the sport of basketball? Then do check out this recent interview with the up-and-coming Georgia Lady Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.