NBA Q&A: Paul George

Courtesy of Slam

SLAM: Your people tell me this is actually your low-key outfit. You have something more special in store for us for tomorrow night’s ESPYs?

Paul George: This is the undercover, trying to be sleek, real smooth low key outfit right here.

SLAM: Please take us through it.

PG: I’ll start off with the shoes and work my way up. You’ve got the black Christian Louboutins. I put these spikes in there myself. Just playing [laughs]. It’s a smooth look to go with the outfit. I’m very into color. I like colors that pop out. And there’s no other color to pop out on a guy, like the color pink. So I went with the pink pants. With the top, I think leather is real popular in fashion today, so I went with something that will keep me cool and be stylish at the same time. And a skinny tie. It’s not as popular, but I think it’s getting there. And a Hublot watch to set it all off.

SLAM: Don’t forget the frames.

PG: I can’t forget the frames! [Removes glasses]. I don’t even know what these frames are! I don’t know, but they work fine.

SLAM: The pink has to be the Cali in you.

PG: This is straight Cali, man. This is straight out the closet of Russell Westbrook! [Laughs]

SLAM: Do you know much about Andrew Wiggins?

PG: I don’t. But since he’s been on the main stage, I’ve been following him. I like his skill set. It’s very similar to mine: A wing that can do everything on the floor for his team. So I’m a big fan of his game.

SLAM: Behind you is the logo of the Gatorade brand. Your career on the court is on an upward trajectory and now you’re affiliated with a global brand like this. It must feel good to be rewarded off the court with partnerships like this.

PG: It does. At the end of the day, I want to be someone that organizations want to deal with and be a part of. It’s great to come out and build relationships by doing events like this. I think it’s great for my career.

SLAM: Speaking of career, man, what are you going to do for an encore? You had me out of my seat a bunch of times during the Playoffs this year.

PG: [Laughs] Well, hopefully this is just the beginning. I won’t say hopefully, because only I can determine that. This is the beginning. There is a lot more in store. I don’t think I’m even close to reaching my prime or scratching the surface. There’s going to be a lot of fun years ahead.

SLAM: One of the great aspects of your game is that you are a fantastic two-way player. You take playing defense seriously. Has that always been a part of your makeup?

PG: It hasn’t. I wasn’t a great defender until I got to the NBA. I was a terrible defender in high school. I couldn’t guard in college. I would almost be nervous when I had to matchup and guard the good guys. So it was something I had to grow with. The only way for me to get on the court in the NBA was to play defense so that was something I had to hang my hat on.

SLAM: I’m a little surprised; I wouldn’t have thought that after watching you defend Carmelo and LeBron in the Playoffs this year.

PG: Yeah, I wasn’t near the defender I am now. I was always good playing the passing lanes and reading the passer. But as far as on-ball defense, I wasn’t quick footed and I didn’t have the instincts to keep up with guys.

SLAM: What are you trying to take away when you guard guys like Carmelo and LeBron?

PG: You just try to make it tough. When it comes to guys like LeBron and Melo, they’ve faced every defense in the world—double-teams, guys who play good defense. So you’re not going to slow their rate down. The thing I wanted to do is make it difficult for them. They’re great scorers; great passers with a great feel for the game. I just try to make it tougher for them.

SLAM: You rocked the Petros and Money radio show when you interviewed with them last year. I loved some of the things you had said about Larry Bird. How influential has he been on your growth?

PG: He’s had a lot of influence. Larry was the first person I really talked to when I was struggling in the Playoffs last year (2012) against Miami. We had at least a one-hour or two-hour phone convo about what I need to improve on, what areas I can get better at. How to attack, how to play within the team. He’s been someone in my corner during my career.

SLAM: I believe you had talked about seeing Larry shoot in the gym.

PG: He picked a ball up that had rolled over. He rolled up his sleeves and made about 15 in a row and just walked out like nothing just happened. It was the craziest thing I’ve seen.

SLAM: How did you and the rest of the team react?

PG: We were speechless. We didn’t know whether to keep shooting or just to end practice. It was sweet, man.