“A Lasting Positive Memory”: Paul George Recalls His Favorite Kobe Bryant Moment

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George remembered one of his favorite Kobe Bryant moments.

In an appearance on Cold As Balls: Cold Calls from Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud, George showed a painting of him and Bryant at an All-Star game.

“This is one of my favorite Kobe moments and I wanted something to have a lasting positive memory from him,” George said while showcasing the painting.

Paul George stayed at Indiana Pacers- because of Kobe Bryant

Kobe had played over 10 years in the NBA when George made his debut in 2010. Bryant had well over 10 All-Star appearances when George first made it to the All-Star team. In a recent interview with Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles of the Knuckleheads podcast, George said that Bryant was a motivation for him to stay and win with the Pacers.

“When I was in Indy, my goal was to win one there. And I never wanted to leave Indy, like, I grew up on Kobe, so, Kobe stayed in LA, that was where his home was, that’s how I felt guys should look at it,” he said.

But he moved from Pacers in 2017 without winning a title. He revealed the reason during his session on the Knuckleheads podcast. Simply, he didn’t believe Pacers were looking to win. He got that feeling when he had an opportunity to team up with a star power forward, but the franchise didn’t sign him.

“I’m like, now I’m pissed, because it’s like, what am I doing here? You know what I mean? They don’t want to win. I’ve got the best power forward that wants to come play here. Not everybody chooses Indy to come and play here,” he said on the podcast.

George joined Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017 and played two years alongside the likes of Russell Westbrook. Last summer, when Los Angeles Clippers were looking to strengthen their team, they signed Paul George along with Kawhi Leonard. With the two leading the team, the Clippers became potential title contenders. Prior to the league’s suspension, they were second in the Western Conference.