The offseason is full of moving parts -- it's aĀ reshufflingĀ of theĀ cards in general for the NBA.Ā Players get traded, podcast hosts get hired, but theĀ strangest part, the hardest one to get used to,Ā is seeing players inĀ new, unfamiliar jerseysĀ come nextĀ season.
Paul George's decision to opt out ofĀ his LA Clippers contract andĀ sign with the Philadelphia 76ers is one of theĀ biggest developmentsĀ so far this summer. Congratulations, Joel Embiid. ThatĀ side eye on national television actually worked. However, PaulĀ George'sĀ Philly trip isn't just about winning a ring. It's also about honoring his idols,Ā specificallyĀ Kobe Bryant.
Paul George,Ā the man formerly known as PG-13,Ā revealed why he's rockingĀ No.Ā 8 next season in Philly on an exclusive Podcast P podcast.Ā
Per @PodcastPShow on Twitter/X:
"I'm in Philly.Ā My idol, the bean, Kobe Bryant.Ā My way ofĀ idolizing Kob',Ā you know? Something thatĀ meantĀ something outside of 24 and 13. ItĀ was only right.Ā It's different." George explained. Though heĀ admittedĀ this decision took some time to make.
IĀ was goingĀ through all theĀ numbers,"Ā George said. "Like, 'man what makes sense, what looksĀ good,Ā what will I beĀ comfortableĀ in?" George said he even asked his wife, who recommended no. 14, butĀ he just couldn't seem to pictureĀ it. He finally landedĀ onĀ No.Ā 8, toĀ honor Kobe Bryant, who played high school ball at Lower MerionĀ High SchoolĀ in Philadelphia.Ā
Paul George wore No. 24 for the Indiana Pacers whenĀ he enteredĀ the league. He became PG-13 around 2015 andĀ has worn No. 13 on hisĀ jersey since. The problem is the Philadelphia 76ers retired both No. 13 and No. 24, so Paul George had no choice but to startĀ anew.
Now, in his 15th season, Paul George dons a new number, and it's the same one that the legendary 'Frobe' Bryant wore. Fans can only hope this change willĀ help Paul George channel his inner Mamba mentality. Hopefully, with George's help, Philly can get past that pesky second round of the playoffs. Yet, Will 76ers' Paul George be a different animal and the same beast? Only time will tell.