Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George made his first comments about the tragic death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
George says Bryant was his Michael Jordan. Both Kawhi Leonard and George had a close relationship with Kobe. They are both from California and Bryant was their idol growing up:
More Paul George on Kobe Bryant – “We grew up, we from here. We grew up here, we saw him every day on TV… It hits different for us from Russ, DeMar, myself, Kawhi, just all the SoCal guys, it just hits different. He was our MJ, he was our hero. He was our GOAT.”
(Via Clippers) pic.twitter.com/lzxAU5B1My
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 29, 2020
Kobe Bryant said back in September he thought Leonard signed with the Clippers instead of the Lakers because Kawhi wanted the challenge of turning the Clippers around. The Clippers have never even played in an NBA Finals before, while the Lakers have won 16 titles.
Leonard, of course, was able to convince George to request a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Clippers. Basketball fans in LA are hoping the Clippers and Lakers meet in the Western Conference Finals. A series with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Leonard and George in it would be special.
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving were among the players who trained with Bryant at an invite-only camp in August. Bryant hosted the Mamba Sports Invitational, a multi-day performance and basketball camp for some of the best players in the NBA. Attendees did strength training, on-court training and video work with Bryant and Lakers skills coach Phil Handy, who was with Leonard and the Toronto Raptors last season.
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