Kobe Bryant has a singular legacy within the NBA, and that has led to many gamers idolizing him. A kind of gamers who seemed as much as Bryant was Paul George, who even wore the #24 as a tribute to Bryant.
Within the 2015-16 season, Kobe Bryant had a legendary retirement tour. Everybody within the NBA neighborhood knew he was going to retire by the tip of the season. Gamers like Paul George wished to have one last duel with their idol, and the previous Indiana Pacers star made positive to try this.
Throughout their last recreation in February 2016, George obtained the final snicker with a 21-point evening within the 89-87 win. Bryant had a robust evening, particularly within the fourth quarter. He had 19 factors, 11 of which got here within the fourth quarter.
In that recreation, George knew it was the ultimate alternative to play towards his hero. George wished to verify of that, as he couldn’t work out together with his idol. He made positive that he would match up towards Bryant, because it meant an excellent deal to him.
Understanding that Bryant was set to retire was monumental for gamers like George. They wished to play towards their idol for one last time. This meant much more for George since he grew up in Southern California as a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bryant.
The youthful star wished to take advantage of out of his alternative. He was the first matchup towards Kobe, so he made positive to defend him properly, like prime Tony Allen. For many of the recreation, George saved Bryant quiet, however the Black Mamba couldn’t be denied together with his fourth-quarter efficiency.
“I wasn’t actually the Paul George that got here to himself but. I used to be in a position to play Kobe; that second, it was Kobe’s final yr. So he was making an attempt to get by that season, so he was sitting some video games off,” George stated on Podcast P.
“I’m in Indy, however I’m monitoring. Kobe missed this recreation. Kobe missed that recreation. We get to Indiana, Kobe enjoying tonight. He was like, possible, and it was a blackout second.”
“I knew it was my final likelihood to play towards him. I obtained Kobe, don’t no person match up with Kobe. It’s me and him tonight. I, for positive as hell, wished to beat Kobe. What was loopy was like Kobe was off the entire recreation, however he had a stretch within the final three or 4 minutes, he didn’t miss a shot.”
For the longest time, George has stayed linked with Bryant’s legacy. He desires to honor Bryant, which is why he selected #24 early in his profession and #8 when he joined the Philadelphia 76ers.
George won’t have had the very best 2024-25 season, however he desires to maintain pushing and enhancing. He desires to bounce again and show he’s nonetheless worthy of his four-year, $212 million contract. George nonetheless has an excellent status amongst his friends, together with Patrick Beverley, who stated George could possibly be a significant piece for a contender.
Whereas folks like Draymond Inexperienced are criticizing George, he’s on the trail to redemption. The previous Fresno State standout desires to maintain standing out, and he desires to maintain doing it within the #8 that Bryant made well-known.
