On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Indiana Pacers for Kobe Bryant’s final game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. This game would also mark the last time Paul George would go up against the player he idolized throughout his childhood in Palmdale, California.
Before taking on the Bryant for the last time on Monday night, George talked about trying to emulate the five-time NBA champion during his youth, via Fox Sports:
Paul George talks about imitating Kobe when he was a kid and the legacy he will leave behind. via @FSIndianahttps://t.co/QpknkTdm7r
— FOX Sports: Hoops (@HoopsonFOX) February 9, 2016
George is one of many up-and-coming stars in the NBA that have a story about growing up idolizing Bryant during the Lakers superstar’s final season. The two-time All-Star also said he wanted to score 82 points in his last game against Kobe, via Vigilant Sports:
“Honestly, try to go for 82 [points],” he said with a big grin. (Kobe’s 81-point game was 10 years ago.)
“I look forward to this, his last trip to Indiana, last game in Bankers Life [Fieldhouse]. I want it to be a good showing. I’m definitely coming with all of my weapons and tools cleaned up.”
Following the game against the Pacers, Kobe will continue the farewell tour on Wednesday night with the team traveling to Ohio to take on LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
Wednesday’s game will be Bryant’s last game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland and the final game of the four-game road trip for the Lakers. Kobe’s final game against LeBron will take next month with the Cavaliers traveling to Los Angeles to play the Lakers on March 10.