Paul George is a very confident NBA player, but even the best need a little help and guidance sometimes. George isn’t shy about seeking mentorship from rivals such as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Per Basketball Insiders:
“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 said. “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,” said George. “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.”
“I’m very good at knowing talent, I guess. I knew he could be really, really good,” James said of George, according to 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.”
George has his sights set high when it comes to his desired list of mentors. Along with James, he would like to add Kobe Bryant also.
“All-Star Weekend, he gave me a couple words and every time I do run into him he gives me a couple words,” George said. “He’s a player as well that I look up to and wish would mentor me.”
“I’m still young so there’s a lot of stuff I have to learn before I feel like I can help a young guy,” George said. “I’ve got to grow into my mentoring role and then I’ll be one of those guys that mentors young guys.”
