Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Paul George (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Paul George once wanted to be a Pacers player for life
Paul George left a sour taste in the mouths of Indiana Pacers fans upon his departure by way of a trade request in 2017. Before that, though, George had a legitimate desire to stay with the Pacers for years to come and be the next strong face of the franchise, inspired by a Los Angeles Lakers legend — Kobe Bryant.
George spent the first seven years of his career in Indianapolis, including a season (2014-15) in which he sat out most of the year as the franchise patiently worked with him through the recovery of his gruesome leg injury.