Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George had some tall praise for Dwyane Wade prior to their last meeting against one another as part of the latter's farewell season.

When asked of the overall impact Wade has had in the game, George had nothing but roses for the three-time champion.

“I think D-Wade has been in this league is just (one of) the best performers, one of the most creative players of our era right now,” said George. “His creativity with the Eurosteps, with the up-and-unders. I think he's one of the best minds in basketball.”

George recalled the numerous games between the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat, noting he had to mentally prepare himself to go against one of the best two-guards of his generation. The Thunder forward called it a “challenge” to go up against Wade during those Pacers-Heat series, one he will get to live for one last time as the Heat visit the Thunder for the last time this season.

The 6-foot-9 forward said that battles against the likes of Wade, LeBron James and others forced him to be sharp from the onset, as any slight mistake could give them the upper hand in a closely-contested game.

Wade was as much of a sharpening iron as he was an inspiration for George and others that came to the league during his prime. As the season draws near to a close, it will be the next 48 minutes of game action that will be the most vivid in George's mind as he plays one last game against the future Hall of Famer.