Paul George Honors Philly Perfectly With Jersey Number Choice

The Philadelphia 76ers are undoubtedly the winners of the offseason so far. General manager Daryl Morey made the biggest splash of free agency by signing Paul George to a maximum contract, creating a formidable trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and George.

Not only does this usher in a new era in Philadelphia, but it also starts a new chapter in George's career. After spending five years with the Los Angeles Clippers and coming up short in the playoffs, George is trying to win the first championship of his career with the Sixers.

A new beginning means a new jersey number for George. The 34-year-old is shedding the No. 13 he has long been associated with and will wear the No. 8 in Philadelphia. The reason for this change: George's desire to honor Philly native Kobe Bryant.

In the latest episode of Podcast P with Paul George, the All-Star forward went into detail about his free agency and the decision to join the Sixers. As part of that conversation, he also revealed his new jersey number and the reason behind it.

"I'm in Philly ... my idol ... the Bean, it's my way of idolizing Kobe and something that meant something outside of 24, 13 ... it was only right."

- Paul George

George has said on multiple occasions that Kobe Bryant was his basketball idol who motivated him to become a basketball player. Born in Philadelphia, Bryant went to Lower Merion for high school before entering the NBA in 1996. He donned the No. 8 for the Los Angeles Lakers for the first nine seasons of his career, winning three titles with that jersey number.

Sixers fans hope George can channel his inner Kobe and bring the city of Philadelphia a championship with that No. 8.

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