Paul George says he was able to get by Kobe Bryant because 'he's old'

The Los Angeles Lakers battled the Indiana Pacers down the stretch, but ultimately fell 89-87 in Kobe Bryant's final game in Indianapolis. The Pacers were in the minority of teams that haven't given Bryant some type of tribute in his final swing around the NBA, but star forward Paul George offered a tribute of his own, telling Shane Young of Basketball Breakdown that he modeled "everything" in his game after the soon to retire superstar while growing up in Southern California.

Just like he probably dreamed about as a child, George dueled with his idol in the fourth quarter, with the two seemingly trying to top each other's shot making prowess with each trip down the floor. Ultimately George got the better of Bryant, with his final basket of the game giving the Pacers a two point lead they ultimately wouldn't relinquish. After the game, George kept it simple when discussing how he was able to drive past Kobe for the go-ahead bucket:

George isn't wrong, but it is funny to hear him acknowledge the pretty simple reason why one of the top players in the game today was able to drive past an aging legend. There were no hard feelings on Kobe' end, as he gave George a pair of his signed shoes as a keepsake:

Kobe Bryant gives Paul George a pair of Kobe's after the game https://t.co/pikKC9Z0b7 pic.twitter.com/oLEDCuXEME

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 9, 2016

Fun stuff from Bryant's final stop in the city where he won his first title.

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