Dwane Casey compares Paul George to a young Kobe Bryant

Paul George did all he could in his team’s seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors, though it wasn’t enough in the end. But according to Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, George made one thing very clear during the Indiana Pacers’ first-round exit.

“Paul George is back.”

After Toronto clinched the series with an 89-84 win in Game 7, Casey reflected on some of George’s dominant performances. He said it reminded him of Kobe Bryant.

“I tell you what, I remember trying to prepare for a young Kobe Bryant. And this young man reminds me of trying to prepare for a young Kobe Bryant back in the Laker days, like I was back in Seattle,” Casey said, via Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. “I think he’s back and I’m happy for him. Now that we’re finished with him, I’m happy for him because he’s a super young man. He represents everything basketball should be about. And he’s back to his … All-Star form.”

Casey was an assistant coach with the Seattle Supersonics from 1995-2005, and he saw plenty of Kobe during that time. He then went on to coach the Minnesota Timberwolves for three seasons before becoming an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks in 2007 and heading to Toronto in 2011.

George suffered an incredibly gruesome leg injury (video here) less than two years ago. Given the nature of the injury, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he was never the same player again. That’s why it is so remarkable that he averaged 27.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and nearly 40 minutes per game against the Raptors, nearly carrying the Pacers to the second round by himself.

George was frustrated with Indiana’s lack of toughness this season and had no problem saying it publicly. The 26-year-old proved against Toronto that he is a superstar worth building around. Now it’s up to the front office to get him some help this summer.