Paul George's new nickname might be more horrific than his leg injury


A few weeks back, Paul George suffered a gruesome leg injury during an inter-squad Team USA scrimmage after attempting to contest a James Harden breakaway. It was a horrific video that most likely will keep out one of the league's best young stars out for an entire season.

And at that point in time, you thought it was safe to say thought that video would be the most horrific bit of Paul George news this offseason. Well hold onto your butts, because George is about to debut a nickname that might make your skin crawl even more.

According to ESPN, when Paul George does return, he'll be wearing the #13

Before the deadline in the first week of March, George applied for and was granted the right to switch from No. 24 to No. 13, sources told ESPN.com...

Paul George will wear No. 13 once he returns to the court for Indiana, sources say.
The idea might have come from ESPN's Bill Simmons, who first mentioned the idea on Grantland in May 2013.

"By the way, I have some advice that will help Paul George become a household name," Simmons wrote. "He should change his number immediately from No. 24 to No. 13. Here's why ... can you think of anyone being helped by a nickname more than Paul George suddenly becoming PG-13?...

George liked the idea when asked about it on Jimmy Kimmel in January. "That's got a ring to it, PG-13," George said at the time.

I'm of the belief that Bill Simmons catches way too much flack and generally does a very good job, but good god, what a shockingly dreadful nickname. I mean, let's put aside the fact that self-branding is just kind of lame in general, and focus on the heart of the matter; PG-13? PG-13?!

As in, parental guidance is suggested but also not required, PG-13? That's what we're going for here? 'MAN, PAUL GEORGE'S GAME IS SO SICK YOU SHOULD ASK A PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO WATCH HIS GAME?!' That's the hit new nickname that's going to get all the kids swingin'? Really?

To be fair the Pacers offensive was pretty difficult to stomach, but is that something you really want to advertise?