Paul George is one of the most synonymous names in the NBA today, but he has spoken about how he owes a lot to Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose.
Now in his 14th NBA season, George has been a presence at all four of the franchises he has represented including his current side the Philadelphia 76ers.
George is having to do some heavy lifting alongside Tyrese Maxey at the 76ers this season with Joel Embiid‘s health continuing to plague him.
The 76ers are 15-24 in the Eastern Conference and George is using all of the knowledge he learnt as a rookie to help the side.
The nine-time NBA All-Star has played with and against some of the biggest names in NBA history, and every battle has taught him something.
George recalled the first time he went up against LeBron James at the Miami Heat saying ‘he was fast as hell.’
The 34-year-old has very few regrets in his career but his biggest involves the late, great Kobe Bryant who he missed out on training with.
While George has some regrets about his career he is grateful to Bulls legend Rose for the trajectory he sent his career to.
Speaking on his podcast, ‘Podcast P with Paul George’, he said: “D-Rose is honestly the reason why I got a chance in the NBA, it was a make-or-break moment. D-Rose in a sick way, because the man averaged 30/35 on me, was the man to give me the confidence to go out and guard the best players.
“I had the chance to match up with him in my rookie season in the playoffs vs Chicago and he was my primary match-up and I got to see the MVP, it was awesome to see the MVP up close. He was tough as hell to guard. He was quick, shifty, explosive and it was a challenge but it was fun I looked forward to every night, shoutout D-Rose man.”
Following the Bulls retiring the famous No.1 jersey in honor of Rose, who still holds the record as the youngest-ever NBA MVP at just 22, George discussed current stars who should go on to have their jerseys retired.
Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo has revealed how he would love that honor but it’s not an easy thing to accomplish. He’s also some way off of being in the Hall of Fame.
George jumped straight to the name of DeMar DeRozan who is still killing it in the league with the Sacramento Kings.
George said: “Right off the back DeMar DeRozan, he’s got to get retired in Toronto. Retire Kyle Lowry’s jersey in Toronto as well.”
He also suggested that Dwight Howard should have his jersey retired in Orlando and Kawhi Leonard in Toronto after he won a championship with them.
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