Slam dunk: US basketball star Paul George coming to Melbourne for historic showdown
BASKETBALL’S $158 million man, Paul George, is the first US star to confirm he is coming to Melbourne for the historic showdown between Australia and Team USA.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BASKETBALL’S $158 million man, Paul George, is the first US star to confirm he is coming to Melbourne for an historic showdown between Australia and Team USA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar told of his desire to visit Victoria and said the US would bring its best-possible line-up next year.
“To actually be in Australia and know the level of basketball that they play, it’s going to be fun,” he said.
“It’s going to be a fun atmosphere and you wouldn’t sign up for this opportunity if you didn’t think it was going to be a heck of an experience.”
BASKETBALL LEGENDS TO PLAY AGAINST AUSSIE STARS
HOW NBA STARS WERE WOOED TO MELBOURNE
HOW AUSTRALIA BECAME AN NBA TALENT FACTORY
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Herald Sun, George said the time was “absolutely” right to bring an NBA match to Melbourne.
“Last season we played Melbourne in Oklahoma so we would love to actually go out there now and play on their home floor,” he said.
“It would be pretty cool — we would love to go back and get a chance to see your city and just embrace that culture and have a new experience.”
The five-time NBA All Star and Olympic gold medallist said US players respected Australia’s basketball talent, especially after being pushed to the brink at the previous Olympics.
“I think they’re on the cusp of being one of the top three or four countries competing in the World Cup and FIBA basketball,” he said.
“When I used to think of Australia I would think of surfing and water and sharks and kangaroos.
“That was what my vision of what Australia is like but I think with the talent that is upcoming and the talent Australia is breeding it’s starting to be a big basketball country.”
The Sunday Herald Sun this year revealed Australia would play Team USA twice next in August 2019 the lead-up to the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Tokyo.
NBA STAR BEN SIMMONS WAS JUNIOR AFL STANDOUT
George said the US team to visit Victoria for the Etihad Stadium series would be packed with NBA talent, hopefully of the calibre of LeBron James and Steph Curry. “I can’t speak for everybody but I would love to (go to Melbourne) and I would imagine most guys feel the same way,” he said.
George said Melbourne born-and-bred NBA Rookie Of the Year Ben Simmons was a “terrific talent” and worthy of comparison to the LA Lakers’ star, LeBron.
“I think what makes him so unique is the skill set that he has at his size; that’s really hard to find,” he said.
“A guy that can play-make, and control the game and tempo with the ball in his hand at his height is what makes him special.
“The last guy to do that has been the best player in our league for about 15, 16 year’s now.”
George, who recently signed a four-year deal with Oklahoma worth $158 million, said the US would need to bring its A-game to beat an Aussie side boasting a record 11 NBA players of its own.
BEN SIMMONS WINS NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
KNOX MENTOR’S PROUD OF NBA RISING STAR
Join the conversation
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Read more
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.
Read more