Paul George honors Kobe Bryant by sporting No. 8 for 76ers

Paul George is buying and selling out the LA Clippers’ blue-and-red uniforms for the Philadelphia 76ers variation of the colours. However that is not the one change coming to the veteran ahead’s new jersey.

For the primary time since 2015, George will not be donning the quantity 13.

At face worth, George’s transfer to the Metropolis of Brotherly Love was about so simple as one might need from an aesthetic standpoint — the Clippers and 76ers share related blue and pink shades. However there was one drawback. George’s conventional No. 13 is retired in Philadelphia for legendary heart Wilt Chamberlain.

George’s new quantity will as an alternative draw inspiration from his idol, Kobe Bryant. Born in Philadelphia, Bryant ascended to pre-professional stardom at Decrease Merion Excessive College earlier than becoming a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant donned the No. 8 for the Lakers throughout his first decade within the NBA.

“I needed to do it. C’mon man, I am in Philly.” George mentioned on his podcast. “My means of idolizing Kobe.

First take a look at PG within the Philly No. 8 threads 👀

Full episode drops tomorrow at 9am EST / 6am PST. pic.twitter.com/JyAsXY9LEo

— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) July 7, 2024

Fortunately, there was one other silver lining for George in a possible quantity change. Chief amongst them? Miscommunications together with his 3½-year-old son, Paul Vuk George.

“My son cannot say 13,” mentioned George. “So he says 14.”

George thought-about switching to his son’s most popular quantity, however he concluded that it did not really feel proper on him. He additionally weighed 25 and 31, numbers he wore in highschool, however did not suppose they seemed proper both.

“It is good to have these moments to only, like, if you take a look at that jersey … ‘Yeah, that is who I am placing it on for.'”

The brand new quantity is one thing of a full-circle second for George. His first quantity within the NBA after being drafted by the Indiana Pacers was No. 24, the quantity Bryant wore for his ultimate 10 seasons in Los Angeles.