Every family has its own traditions. The ones that have been carried on through generations. And for Paul George, it’s his name. Yup! Paul Clifton Anthony George is the fifth PG of his family. Naming the first son of the family as ‘Paul George’ was a tradition that they have kept alive over the years. But our ex-Clippers star had come close to breaking it. Needless to say, we got a lot of inside details into PG’s childhood and his basketball journey from the most authentic source, the 9x All-Star’s dad, and you don’t want to miss out.

Paul George Sr. had joined Podcast P with Paul George for a special episode. So, why exactly had the Sixer contemplated straying away from naming his son PG? “For me, it was more so, when the parent is high profile and then the kid shares the same name, the pressure that comes behind that. So, I was just trying to alleviate that and just give him his own identity,” the 34-year-old explained.

The reasoning was certainly sound. Just take a look at a certain Lakers legend’s son. His official name is LeBron Raymone “Bronny” James Jr., but with Bronny being so widely and regularly used, we tend to forget that fact. So, the pressure, spotlight, and identity crisis are all spot on, because with the kind of opinion-giving happening in the media today, where does one hide? So, of course, PG-13 had complete freedom to decide what to name his son.

But it’s never as simple as that, is it? For one, it was a tradition that had too many strings attached. According to PG Sr., to date, there have been 6 PGs in their family, with Paul Vuk George, the active hooper’s son being the 6th. But that wasn’t all there was to the story.

The Paul George V we all know would have not been the 5th, not the shoe of course…how did this family tradition come to be?

The best person to narrate the tale is none other than Pops. After all, Paul George Sr. wasn’t supposed to be named that. “My grandfather, his name was Paul George. And then my Dad, he was the first child, so he was a junior. And then, my Dad, they had like another son before me, and he passed away. I think he was like six months old. So, when I came along, he still wanted a Paul George. So, that’s how I became another Paul George. And then, of course, Paul and then his son,” PG’s father finished.

See what we meant about the ‘strings attached’ part? Even so, it wasn’t simply up to the father and son to choose the name. George’s wife, Daniela Rajic, also had a say in the matter.

And thankfully, she was very supportive. After two girls, this was their first son. And although the 5x All-NBA third-teamer did have his doubts about the matter, his wife’s ‘go-ahead’ pretty much sealed the deal.

But PG had kept his dad guessing. “Meet PG 6, Dad,” George introduced his little boy to his father, and that’s when the old man breathed a sigh of relief. And looking at how things are progressing, it turned out to be the right decision. Little Vuk loves his name! And the family tradition is still in place. Hopefully, PG’s son will continue it.

Do you have any such traditions? Do drop those stories in the comments below.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.