If someone were to ask Paul George about his “I made it” moment in the league, chances are his mind would wander back to the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals. The Miami Heat were up against the Indiana Pacers in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals when something unusual happened during Game 2. Paul George, an emerging star then, beat LeBron James off the dribble for an emphatic dunk on Chris Andersen. After PG13 completed his and-1, James responded with a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Just as George was walking back to the bench, James called him and reached out his right hand for a shake, a gesture that silently conveyed, You belong. However, former Heat guard Norris Cole wasn’t too fond of this exchange.

During a recent appearance on Tidal League, Cole revealed that, while he didn’t like it, he understood why James did it. “I ain’t like that he did it. But when you earn your respect to that nature, organically, you’re just like, ‘Bro good play,'” said the 2x NBA Champion. PG then went on to seal that game in Indiana’s favor with a 97-93 victory by stonewalling James on a drive and forcing a turnover with 8.3 seconds left.

Despite the loss, James once again acknowledged PG’s skills after the game, stating, “He’s really good. He’s going to be a great one. His maturity and his game have definitely risen in just one year because of the opportunity Frank Vogel has given him.” However, George’s efforts fell short as Miami won that series in seven games, and James went on to add a second championship to his trophy cabinet that season.

The dunk of the century

Almost a decade later, the dung saga continues. This time, however, PG was on the receiving end of what Lakers legend James Worthy called “the dunk of the century.” During the Lakers 106-103 win against their crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers, James secured a rebound and dribbled down the length of the court to explode for a thunderous dunk over PG, who drew a foul in the process. The subsequent free throw helped the Lakers tie the score at 55.

Recounting the embarrassing play, George said on his Podcast P with Paul George, “It was just like a deer in the headlights. I don’t know what to do right here. Before I could think about the next thing to do, I was just stuck.” However, in the end, he was just relieved that James did not send him to the floor.

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The Lakers and the Clippers met four times this season, with the former winning three of those meetings. This marks the end of an era, as the co-tenants of the Crpto.com Arena move to their new arena, Intuit Dome, in Inglewood next season. However, they could meet again in the playoffs this season, but that has never happened before.

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