Philadelphia sports fans are known for their passion, their loyalty—and their brutal honesty. Just ask Paul George, who got a firsthand taste of that honesty while stuck in traffic during the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade. As the city celebrated its championship, one fan spotted George and delivered a reality check that perfectly captured the frustration of 76ers fans:
“Yo, we coulda kept Tobias if you gonna do this s*.”
George arrived in Philadelphia last summer with high expectations, signing a four-year, $212 million contract to form a Big Three alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The hope was that he would be the missing piece to push the Sixers into title contention.
Instead, the season turned into a nightmare. Injuries plagued the roster, with Embiid playing just 19 games, Maxey missing 30, and George himself sidelined for 41 games. When he was on the court, he struggled to find his rhythm, averaging 16.2 points per game—his lowest full-season scoring average since his second year in the league.
The fan’s comment referenced Tobias Harris, the former Sixers forward who left for the Detroit Pistons last offseason. Harris had been a divisive figure in Philly, often criticized for his inconsistency, but his departure paved the way for George’s arrival. Ironically, Harris ended up having a solid season in Detroit, averaging 13.7 points per game and helping the Pistons reach the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Meanwhile, the Sixers collapsed after the Eagles parade, going 4-27 to close out the season. Harris even clapped back at Philly fans on social media, posting a photo of himself smoking a cigar with the caption: “After the parade… 4-27.”
George later reflected on the fan’s comment during an appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s podcast, admitting that it hit him hard.
“It was funny, but it was like some s** you take to the heart. Like, you right. Facts. I got you.”*
He even said the moment motivated him to get back in the gym immediately:
“I got to the crib, found the closest basketball, like let me get right.”
PG reveals what a Philly fan said to him while stuck in the Eagles parade & the reaction was PRICELESS 😭 pic.twitter.com/lRB2Gdc5rg
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) May 26, 2025
Heading into the 2025-26 season, George and the Sixers face immense pressure to bounce back. Embiid’s health remains a major question mark, and George will need to prove he can still perform at an All-Star level. Otherwise, Philly fans won’t hesitate to remind him—again—that they could’ve kept Tobias.
