#KicksStalker: George dedicates 2nd shoe to up-and-comers

Paul George has now become a legitimate superstar in the NBA but he began his career as a role player for the Indiana Pacers.

He used his sheer will and determination from averaging just 7.8 points in his rookie year to constant 20-point scorer in his eighth season and this hard work ultimately paid off for George as he is now considered as one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

And with that notoriety came prestige in the form of his second signature shoe, the PG2.

For George, his signature sneaker is not just for him, but also for those players who are now starting a name for themselves.

“I’m really excited, more so again for the performance that it’s going to give guys that follow me and are trying to get a chance to get to the NBA,” said George in a press release from Nike.

“I’m more excited for those guys to get a chance to wear them and be in them and help them with their careers. At the end of the day that’s what I want.”

George debuted the PG2 in an exclusive “PlayStation” colorway in the Thunder’s 148-124 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers wherein he put up 36 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The PG2 “PlayStation,” which will release on Feb. 10 on Nike.com, is a testament to one of George’s most loved passions—gaming.

“I just had a knack for video games,” said George. “As soon as I discovered PlayStation, I was throwing hints here and there to my dad—cutting out the clipping of a video game, cutting out clippings of the PlayStation, leaving it on his dresser.”

“I remember on Christmas morning, I unwrapped my gift and sure enough it was the PS2. I’ve been a PlayStation guy ever since.”

George’s new signature isn’t only an homage to his love of gaming, but also a mirror of his lockdown play on the defensive end.

Tony Hardman, the designer of both the PG1 and PG2, took away the strap that provides added lockdown on the forefoot and switched it with what he calls “dynamic wings.”

Another piece of Nike technology on the forefoot is the 10-millimeter Zoom unit that gives added cushion and propulsion in the region.