Paul George says he and LeBron James still have rivalry
By Sam Richmond
LeBron James and Paul George have developed one of the more fun NBA rivalries throughout the past few seasons.
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The rivalry was born more out of respect than it was a disdain for one another, leading to some really cool playoff moments.
While James has left the Miami Heat to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, don’t expect this rivalry to go away.
George spoke to Chris Hayes of Comcast SportsNet:
"“Bron going back home, it’s definitely going to pick things up when the Pacers and Cavs play,” George told CSNNW.com following Day 3 of Wednesday’s Team USA training camp. “I’m definitely still gunning for the top guys. Whoever the top guy is, I’m gunning for him. I got a target for him as well as he’ll have a target for me.”(…)He’s the top guy. He’s the one everybody is chasing. At the end of the day, I want to be one of the best and the top player in this league. LeBron is the one I’m gunning for as well as K.D.”"
As much as George has improved in recent years, he still has a long ways to go to catch James. LeBron averaged 27.1 points (56.7 percent shooting from the floor), 6.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists while George averaged 21.7 points (42.4 percent shooting from the floor), 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season.
But George, as the young-and-improving star, trying to go tit-for-tat with the four-time MVP is what has made this rivalry special. It’s great for all NBA fans that James’ change in uniform hasn’t ended it.