Paul George Promotes New Nike Shoe, Sidesteps Lakers Talk

Pacers F Paul George appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night, and the show aired a clip from last month when Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson talked about wanting George to join the team, but tried to avoid “tampering” with just a “wink wink” to George. Host Jimmy Kimmel asked George, “Has he winked at you yet? Does that have any impact on you?” George: “I love Magic, great dude.” Kimmel: “But for people in Indiana, this is the worst-case scenario for them.” George: “I love Indy.”

George’s also promoted his Nike PG1 signature sneaker. Kimmel: “I guess this is the greatest honor you can receive as an athlete is to have your own brand of shoe. ... How much input do you have into what your shoe looks like?” George: “I have full input on everything.” George said he originally “drew a shoe up and sent it to Nike and they came back to me like, ‘This shoe was the [expletive] shoe we've seen.” Kimmel: “They were honest.” George: “They were brutally honest” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 5/15).