Predicting Paul George’s Twitter Fallout

Feb 9, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George (24) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic shooting guard Arron Afflalo (4) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Because of the notoriously gruesome leg injury he suffered in early August while scrimmaging for Team USA, Indiana Pacers swingman Paul George is out of commission for a long while. But what about when he’s medically cleared to play and is ready to make his return to the court? Will he be back on the court as scheduled? Or will that be delayed by a game or two following the controversy surrounding George and his Twitter account?

In response to the infamous domestic violence case regarding former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice that has engulfed the NFL, Paul George posted some since-deleted controversial tweets, including:

"“I don’t condone hittin women or think it’s coo BUT if SHE ain’t trippin then I ain’t trippin.. Lets keep it movin lol let that man play!”“If you in a relationship and a woman hit you first and attacking YOU.. Then you obviously ain’t beatin HER.  Homie made A bad choice!  #StayUp”"

As expected, George sent out an apology on Twitter and through a more formal statement, and Pacers front office president Larry Bird condemned the tweets, as well.

This is a case that the NFL and society in general is taking very seriously, and rightfully so. So, what happens next with George? Quite frankly, I don’t know. My goal was to write this column the day that the George-related backlash started, but I was still torn over forecasting what might happen. Fast-forward over 48 hours later and I’m still not exactly sure.

If George was fully healthy and was preparing to take the court like any other offseason, I’d think that a suspension of a game or two was a no-brainer. But the fact that we may not even see George on the court in game action for another 12 months at least makes it a little trickier. Does a suspension enforced retroactively a calendar year later lessen the hammer drop at all? Especially when, a year or so from now, George will have completed or nearly completed his long road back to the court. It’s also very possible that rumors of Rice getting a second chance in the NFL could be in motion. And while that notion may seem atrociously quick to many, it’s very conceivable based on recent lengthy NFL suspensions.

Quarterback Michael Vick was suspended indefinitely for his involvement in an illegal dog-fighting and gambling ring, which lasted two seasons before he returned. Wide receiver Donte Stallworth struck and killed a construction worker in Florida in a manslaughter charge that had a DUI attached to it and returned to the league a year later. Adam “Pacman” Jones was suspended for a season, returned, and then was suspended “indefinitely” again, which ultimately translated into four games. By this time next year, Rice may be gearing up for a return to the league, and many people probably would have more or less forgiven George’s comments by the time a suspension would be put in place.

So, how about fining him? Obviously, coming up with a number deemed fair that appeases could be a challenge, especially given the fact that George’s max-level extension kicks in this season. A recent basis to use there is fellow Pacer Roy Hibbert’s controversial 2013 playoff press conference that included some expletives and the phrase “no homo.” Hibbert was hit with a $75,000 fine from the league. Does $75,000 match George’s tweet?

Obviously, this is nothing that jeopardizes his place on the Pacers’ roster, nor does it jeopardize his promised opportunity with Team USA when he returns from injury. I honestly don’t even think he’s in any danger of losing sponsors, sponsors that were probably going to lay low on him anyway because of his absence from the court this season.

Although I think the more immediate route of a fine and meeting with domestic violence issues is a good way to go, I think that when it’s all said and done, I expect a game or two suspension enforced when George is ready to return, even if such a retroactive punishment isn’t ideal. Even though it could be another year before that suspension can be put into action, maybe it would serve as a good reminder that sometimes words can have lasting repercussions. Then, I expect that fine money would be put toward an organization for victims of domestic abuse. Finally, I expect that George will likely meet with some key members of such organizations – not for the sake of doing it just to do it, or the good PR or anything, but so that George can meet first-hand some of the people who were affected and offended by his tweet and why.

Either way, this will probably be on the Pacers’ front office to figure out. As of this writing, I haven’t heard anything official from the league regarding George’s controversy, and the fact that there is another team owner on the way out due to racially-charged statements might play a role into that.

For the most part, George’s off-the-court track record is pretty clean. A few questions about his personal life have come up here and there, but you can Google the tabloids if you’re interested. This isn’t the first time a high-profile social media user has gotten himself into Twitter trouble and it won’t be the last. Just hopefully it will be the last for George, especially given the seriousness of the topic in question.