Paul George's name was once again in headlines around the NBA world on Wednesday. No, it wasn't because he erupted for 36 points, his second-highest scoring game of the season, in the Los Angeles Clippers' win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Instead, it was because of Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley.

On Wednesday morning, Dudley released a short book detailing life in the NBA bubble. In one excerpt, he discusses how the Lakers took exception to George saying he and Kawhi Leonard were on the same level as LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Apparently, that quote was “disrespectful.”

“We hear some of those guys talking about how they're the team to beat in LA. It's fine if Kawhi says stuff like that. He's defending a championship. We don't trip if someone like Patrick Beverley is talking trash' that's how he feeds his family. We get it. We respect the hustle. But we think it's disrespectful for Paul George, who hasn't won, to put himself on the level of Bron and AD. This motivates us.”

At first, it appeared as though Paul George may have heard the comments as he was unconscious all night, shooting 13-of-20 from the field and 8-of-9 from beyond the arc to go along with six assists and no turnovers.

However, he admitted after the game he had no idea who wrote what and what was said.

“Umm… Whose book was it?” George asked, clearly uninformed about the comments.

“Jared Dudley,” the reporter responded over the Zoom call. George raised his eyebrows when he heard Dudley's name loud and clear.

George shook his head and looked down, thinking of a response.

“God bless him.” George finally said. “God bless you, Jared Dudley. I don’t know what it is. Dudes love throwing my name in stuff, but god bless you, Jared.”

After playing on Opening Night, the Clippers aren't scheduled to play the Lakers again for the rest of the first half of the season. They'll surely be matched up once or twice when the league releases its second-half schedule.

Dudley has played just 22 minutes across six games for the Lakers this season, totaling three points and six rebounds.

Paul George, meanwhile, is playing at an MVP level, averaging 24.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.8 3-pointers per game on 50.8 percent shooting from the field, 47.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 90.5 percent on free throws.