Paul George put the media on blast over a report saying he’s one of many free agents who was deterred by the Lakers because of Kobe Bryant.
In a story for ESPN the Magazine published Monday, Henry Abbott explored the topic of how many key free agents were disinterested in the Lakers because of Kobe. One player mentioned is George, an LA-area native who has become one of the top players in the league. George re-signed with the Pacers last year.
Here’s what ESPN said about George and the Lakers:
Paul George, Angelino through and through, had once been the team’s safest choice. But sources say one reason the two-way star had re-signed with the Pacers in the fall of 2013 instead was that he was turned off by the thought that Bryant would police his efforts.
Perhaps the wording was odd, but the point is clear: the Lakers are Kobe’s team, and players are expected to fall in line with his plans and expectations.
George might have had many reasons for re-signing with the Pacers and not joining the Lakers, but whatever ESPN said the reason was, George termed “crazy.”
Now how crazy does that Kobe story sound to you ? #MediaReachingAgain
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) October 20, 2014
I’m guessing George staying in Indy was more about him being the leader of that team, liking it there, and not wanting to leave what seemed like a team on the rise to join a team on the decline. Maybe Kobe was just a small part of his disinterest in LA, unlike the report, which makes it seem like the main turnoff. In that sense, yes, the report does seem crazy.
