In his first game as a new teammate to Joel Embiid, Paul George couldn’t help but bring up an old friend and former running mate: Kawhi Leonard. As PG took the floor alongside ‘The Process,’ he was immediately reminded of his time playing with Kawhi in LA. We don’t have to remind you that, when healthy, the pair formed one of the most anticipated duos.

Although that chapter ended without the result they hoped to have, George’s reflections on the 7-footer’s game provided a fresh reminder of Leonard’s impact. Moreover, his comments also showcase why playing with a superstar always brought out the best in him.

Talking to the media post tonight’s 99-111 loss to the Knicks, Paul sounded both reflective and excited, having shared the floor for the very first time with one of the league’s most dominant centers. “You just see again, how much he demands eyes and attention on him,” the 34-year-old pointed out.

Furthermore, George noted that Embiid’s presence demands constant attention from defenders, forcing double-teams and rotations that disrupt opponents’ defensive strategies. But that wasn’t all. “He is a force out there. You gotta find him, you gotta see him. .. nobody can really guard him. If they can, it’s going to be a rough day for them,” Paul said, almost like he was low-key flexing and warning his opponents about the Cameroonian big.

Despite all this, Paul George couldn’t help but direct our attention to ‘The Klaw’. The 9x All-Star has shared the floor with two of the league’s most heavily guarded players. Hence, the comparison to his former teammate was clear. “They have to double; it’s kind of like my time in LA with Kawhi. Kawhi kinda demands that same attention and blocks. He just opens the floor for everybody.”

It’s clear that while the business side of sports often drives teammates apart, the years of friendship that extended beyond the court have helped Kawhi and Paul keep their relationship alive. In fact, he pretty much stated that he would remain loyal to Leonard, come what may.

“We will talk,”: Paul George minced no words on his solid friendship with Kawhi Leonard

In a recent episode of his podcast, PG-13 clarified his stance on his friendship with Kawhi. “I keep tabs with Kawhi. I see how he is doing, how his recovery is going. You know couple comments here and there on how the team looks so far. So I will keep in touch with Kawhi. We will talk.“

He left no room for doubt. And why would he? Paul’s disagreements had nothing to do with his relationship with Leonard, after all. It was between the Clippers franchise and himself. Unsatisfactory contract negotiations left a sour taste in the mouths of both parties. But it was something Kawhi understood. The man has been in the league long enough to grasp the finer nuances of the NBA’s business side.

In fact, when George explained his decision to leave LA, he made sure to note that he viewed “Kawhi as one of my best friends in this league.” These relationships are rather rare in competitive sports. So, it truly is refreshing to see Paul and Kawhi continue being buddies despite the former’s less-than-pleasant leave-taking.

With George not suiting up in a rival jersey, it’s clear that the bond he forged with Kawhi has left an indelible mark on him. His comments about Embiid felt like an appreciation of his new star partner, but also a tip of the hat to Kawhi’s greatness.

The California native might be ready to build something new with Embiid, but as he made clear, he’s not about to forget what made his time with Leonard special. And if that past experience can help bring out the best in Embiid, George is ready to embrace it.