Clippers small forward Paul George has always loved to share just how much Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has impacted his playing career. From originally dawning the Mamba's '24' on the back of his Indiana jersey to rocking Bryant's signature shoe when not wearing his own, the love and respect between the two has always been evident.
Prior to the 2019 trade that saw George join the Clippers, he had been linked to the purple and gold for quite some time . Fans were hoping to see him help LeBron James restore winning habits to the franchise but he instead got moved to their city rival. Nevertheless, he has continued to speak highly of the late, great Bryant and has highlighted him as his favorite player ever.
George recently launched his own podcast 'Podcast P With Paul George' and has given himself a platform where he can interview guests of his choice, give a deeper view into his personal life, and also share stories from his time in the league.
In one of George's most recent episodes, the 32-year-old shared an exchange between him and Bryant that occurred in the middle of his 41-point All-Star Game showcase.
"I'm talking to him and I'm like, 'Kob, I think I'm going for it'," said George. "And we laughed about it and he's like, 'Yeah that's how it starts, you make a couple baskets and you know it's your night'. And he's like, 'Go get it, go for it'. So I'm like 'Bet'. Any chance I get the ball bro, it's going up and I'm hitting."
Despite the fact that George's team would go on to lose this game, he still finished with a record 41 points and attracted double teams all throughout the final minutes. He was definitely inspired by his childhood hero giving him the green light to put on a show and try to win MVP of the game.
This exchange between the two star guards is even more bittersweet when you consider that it was in the midst of Bryant's farewell tour and final All-Star weekend in the NBA. George is just one of the many younger players in which the Mamba has impacted in a positive light and his legacy will forever shine.
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