A new rivalry has hit the NBA between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, and it goes even deeper between both teams' best players in small forwards Paul George and LeBron James. Even with that, the young George says he wouldn't mind being mentored from King James.
Both are very alike in so many ways. George is learning to become one of the top wing players in the game, and he even carries the "King" nickname for himself (he used to go by King24George on Twitter). George received some honor from James in last year's Eastern Conference Finals, when LBJ high-fived PG after he hit a clutch 3-pointer.
George is looking to elevate his game. In four years, not many can say they have evolved as an NBA player as much as George. PG went from a project, to a known dunker and defensive stopper, a young star and now one of the league's best players.
However, he still has some learning to do. George, who went 0-for-9 and just two points in last night's loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, could learn a thing or two from James. For PG, he's all up for it.
“It would be great to be able to pick his brain, pick his mind and just talk about the game because I think he’s a player that can help me get to the next level and continue to keep going to the next level,” George told Basketball Insiders. “I wish some day we have that relationship where he is someone I can talk to—not during the season because I’m too competitive during the season—but maybe in the summertime.
“He’s someone that motivates me. This league is all about guys being competitive and competing. And don’t get me wrong, every time I’m matched up with him I’m going to try to get the best out of him and come out as the best player of that game. But at the same time, he’s been someone that I looked up to. He’s someone I’m going to continue to look up to because at the end of the day, the position I want to be in is where he’s at.”
Considering that this age of the NBA doesn't really have any hatred between its players — just love for each other, it wouldn't be a surprise to anyone if James was up for mentoring George.
James, who has shown to be sort of a mentor now to Johnny Manziel (who's entering the NFL very soon), can definitely see himself helping out George with his basketball skills.
“I’m very good at knowing talent, I guess. I knew he could be really, really good,” James said of George, via GQ. “I had a couple of conversations with him. I just see talent in a guy…. I’d do it for anyone. But if someone reaches out to me for advice how to get better, I’m doing it. I can’t tell what I said. My secret words.”
