Paul George hands over leader role to Kawhi Leonard: 'I'm number 2' / News - Basketnews.com

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have played 104 games together.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is set to fill the role of the team's second-best player this upcoming NBA season.

Kawhi Leonard

Position:SF, SGAge:31Height:201 cmWeight:102 kgBirth place:Riverside, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

George recalled the legendary duo of the Miami Heat and promised to hand over the flag to the returning Kawhi Leonard.

"Look at the [Miami Heat] wing-wing DWade [Dwyane Wade] and LeBron [James]," George said following the Clippers' 119-117 preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena, via ESPN.

"I think it just comes down to -- listen, Kawhi is the No. 1. And I am totally fine with that. I think I try to complement him with being able to take the load off of him.

"Everybody says, 'Kawhi [and] you are 1 and 1, [or] 1A, 1B.' I'll publicly say, I'm the 2. Kawhi's the 1, I'm the 2. So that part we nipped in the bud. Like there's no ego when it comes to that."

Leonard and George are looking to make their first trip to the NBA Finals together since teaming up on the Clippers in the summer of 2019.

Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season due to an ACL tear, while George skipped 51 games last campaign with an elbow injury.

The Clippers open a new season against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20.

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