Welcome to another installment of a very in-depth series “Making Your Mental Health a Priority,” a series of articles in which I delve into the mindset of sports' biggest names. If you’re new to this series, I encourage you to read my previous articles beforehand. In today’s installment, Los Angeles Clippers superstar Paul George was one of many who dealt with mental health issues.
From being a title favorite to one of the worst playoff collapses in NBA history, Paul George had never felt this type of defeat in all his years playing. Let’s rewind the tape and go back to summer when he joined forces with fellow teammate Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles. All the talk of the LA Clippers being the favorites to win the title became very well known. But all of it came to a halt once the pandemic hit in 2020.
Like many players, what was next became uncharted for everyone making these decisions. Commissioner Adam Silver moved the season to Orlando, Florida at the Walt Disney resort. From the jump, like most players, Paul was one who knew the obligations. It was a grueling grind to restart and make a playoff run. But reality set in during what went down as the biggest playoff “choke job” to date. The aftermath which followed became very difficult to address.
Following the Clippers 3-1 epic collapse against the Denver Nuggets during Western Conference Semi-round series, questions started to float as to whether this team was ready to play. Nobody had a direct response, but the troubling matters of former teammate Lou Williams going to Atlanta and hitting the famous Magic City Gentlemen’s Club for wings to players not wanting to be away from family. The pressures of winning an NBA title with no fans away from family was too much to overcome.
The biggest story which became “Pandemic P” raised eyebrows as to what was going on with Paul. During that series, he struggled with anxiety and depression. With that, he was a part of the conversation in how athletes coped with mental health. As he described: “That was like my pit.” The media was already having a field day with the Clippers colossal failure and Paul George was navigating through how his mental health affected his play on the court.
If you watched the final three games of that series, Paul wasn’t himself. The pressure had mounted and busted all the pipes around the Clippers title hopes. He didn’t know how to address this issue in 2020; being in a secluded area where rules and regulations were in place for player safety during the pandemic. Sleepless days and nights about the upcoming games during that dark moment in time. What became a redundant story was a turning point in asking for help.
When Paul realized he needed help, that was the time to sit down and seek therapy. A dark moment which ended with an early playoff exit gave him a new outlook. Understanding mental health is crucial to a player’s overall well-being. A lot of toxicity around this subject matter can be filled with unknown feelings. A superstar player in his prime and trying to navigate through the stigma of mental health. Paul George knew his mind wasn’t in a safe space and sought treatments.
Admitting you need help is the first step to recovery and taking it beyond any playoff series. When we hear news stories about athletes and their battles, it's often pushed aside and no longer a topic. It only resurfaces once the player sits down and discusses the uphill battles of anxiety and depression.
Regardless of the outcome, having an outlet to secure your safe space is important as routine check-ups with your primary care provider. Paul has helped several by opening with their mental health struggles. He’s in a safe space with his wife and children. Having your mental health checked regularly can save you in the long haul by doing the necessary elements. Taking time away from social media, reading, journaling, however you prefer to improve your well-being.
In the end, Paul George is one of many athletes who used their voice and platforms to open about mental health. The stigma surrounding it is being broken layer by layer. More work to be done in the mental health community and it’ll be worth every resource to all of us. Thank you Paul for the encouragement and continue to be a light in a dark world.
As always, make your mental health a priority.
Stai tuned.
