Paul George Kobe Bryant
Photo: SB Nation

LA Clippers superstar Paul George paid tribute to the late Los Angeles Lakers and NBA Legend, Kobe Bryant.

“He was my Michael Jordan growing up as a SoCal kid. He was what every kid wanted to be here. I started playing basketball because of Kobe,” George told reporters during Wednesday’s practice.

George and Bryant were close friends. Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday.