“Paul George and the Clippers are the enemy”: LeBron James jokingly takes jabs at Clippers star while picking him to join Team LeBron

LeBron James says that Paul George and the Clippers are the ‘enemy’ as he proceeds to pick PG with the 10th pick in the All-Star Draft. 

Ever since LeBron James made the move to join the Los Angeles Lakers and Paul George teamed up with Kawhi Leonard on the Clippers, the ‘Battle for LA’ narrative has become one of the most significant rivalries in the NBA. Each time these two teams would matchup in the regular season, it would make for one of the most exhilarating games of the entire season. 

The tension and drama between the two superteams was built up throughout the entirety of last season, only to have no payoff come Playoff time. What was expected to be a brutal 7-game series between the two LA behemoths turned out to be a WCF matchup between Denver and the Lakers. 

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Though they were able to escape the Clippers en route to a title last season, LeBron James understands that Paul George and co are still their biggest threat out West to repeat. 

LeBron James jokes about Paul George and the Clippers being his and the Lakers’ ‘enemies’

With the All-Star Draft taking place earlier today, LeBron James was pitted against Kevin Durant to make his picks for the 2021 ASG. After having picked the starters, both team captains began making their picks for their reserves. 

It should be noted that Kevin Durant snagged Kawhi Leonard early on in the Draft so that was one less Clipper LeBron had to pick. With the 10th pick in the draft, LeBron James chose Paul George. Before making the selection, however, James jokingly said, “The only time I’ll root for this guy or this team, because we’re enemies.” 

Paul George is the 10th pick among the reserves — lands on LeBron’s squad.

LBJ: “The only time I’ll root for this guy or this team, because we are enemies (laughs). Nah, just making fun of it. I’m going with Paul George, PG-13, from the Los Angeles Clippers.”

— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) March 5, 2021

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He then brushed it off by saying, “Nah I’m just making fun of it.” Paul George and the 4x champ shared a storied history that dates back to nearly 8 years ago. Both PG and the ‘King’ had matched up against one another in the 2013 and 2014 ECF back when they were on the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat, respectively. 

Many have hilariously taken to social media to claim that Bron actually did Paul George a solid by picking him as Team Durant is being coached by Doc Rivers. A reunion between PG and Rivers would call for some awkward conversations at the least, considering their blemished past.