LeBron James and Paul George met up in the offseason
LeBron James and Paul George met up in the offseason; they could definitely be teammates in the near future.
Despite the many injuries that have seen players who were supposed to be participants All-Star Weekend sitting out, LeBron James and the rest of the NBA’s stars have offered memorable quotes while delivering sensational performances on the court. While there are sure to be various stories about what’s been an entertaining affair, one story that sticks out was reported by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
https://twitter.com/ramonashelburne/status/964969631994662912?ref_src=twcamp%5Ecopy%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Ecopy%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E0
At Paul George’s media presser, he mentioned meeting up with James in the offseason to have dinner. While it was a matter of coincidence he says, not teaming up, it’s interesting that it occurred around the time James was supposed to be recruiting him to join the Cleveland Cavaliers.
George, who considers James a “mentor“, has dueled with James in the Eastern Conference playoffs since the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals, when he got his first taste of playing James in the postseason. However, it was his play in the the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals that led to him being respected by James and his arrival as a “superstar in the making”, according to NBA legend
In fact, the respect James has given to George for his virtuouso performances led him to be dubbed “Prince George”.
George and James, who will both enter free agency this summer, have many who believe they’ll leave their current team to join the Los Angeles Lakers. George, a California-native, was reportedly “hell-bent” on going to the Lakers as recently as last season. The legitimate possibility that George would leave the Indiana Pacers is what led to his trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Now it seems like Russell Westbrook is intent on keeping him there.
Paul George is about three booths down from Russell Westbrook. When PG comes in, a “We want Paul” chant starts:
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) February 17, 2018
Westbrook: “That’s out! Paul ain’t going nowhere. It’s over for that.” pic.twitter.com/mveYpo9u3D
James, who is becoming a presence in Hollywood and has a home in Los Angeles, has been linked to the Lakers for as long as memory serves. However, there’s never been any season where it seemed like a real possibility, until the Lakers cleared the cap space to sign two superstars in the summer and their young core starting turning potential into prowess.
Still, armed with the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick and a few good players on pricey contracts, the Cavaliers could try to swing for the fences and go for a sign-and-trade involving George. While these players could want to play for the Lakers, they have a better chance of success if they create a Big Three in Cleveland.
They’ll be kings of the East and go to the NBA Finals year after year, it’s nearly a guarantee. In the Royal Rumble of the West, though, they could be tossed from the postseason early. For players who want to maximize their championship windows, one is a business decision and the other’s a fantasy.
Still, any team with both James and George will be tough to beat. In addition, with the ugly divorce from Kyrie Irving, the King may be looking for another Lancelot. George is an immensely talented two-way player and even better than Irving. The chance to combine their talents would only lead to good things no matter where they teamed up.
Will they pass up a good shot for a great one, though? That’s really the only question.