Paul George Injury Update: Why PG Changed His Jersey Number to 13?

Aside from Metta World Peace changing his name to The Panda's Friend, another NBA star is looking to get more creative about his nickname by changing his jersey number.

In an article by Bleacher Report, Indiana Pacers star, Paul George, shared that he will be changing his jersey number from No. 24 to No. 13. In effect, he will now be referred to as "PG-13".

According to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com, George might have gotten the idea from Bill Simmons of Grantland. In 2013, Simmons wrote that a change in nickname can further improve a person's reputation and possibly make it a household brand.

Rovell said that Simmons wrote, "By the way, I have some advice that will help Paul George become a household name. 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? 'Uh-oh, PG-13 is heating up!' 'Warning, this game contains strong language, violence and a possible heat check!' 'We might have to make this performance rated R - it's too hot to handle!' Let's make this happen already."

While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live in January 2014, Paul George commented on the suggestion, "That's got a ring to it, PG-13".

In a report by ESPN, George already applied for the change in jersey number before the deadline on March 7, 2014. Although he did not have to buy up all his remaining No. 24 jerseys in the market, he still volunteered to. The league rules require a player who changes jersey numbers on the same team to buy all his remaining old jerseys in the market, if he did not apply for the change on time.

George also seemed to be very excited about the nickname change. He tweeted the hashtag #trece which is Spanish for 13, seven times on Twitter in July 2014.

When George joined the NBA, he chose to wear jersey No. 24 because of his admiration for Kobe Bryant. In terms of jersey sales, Paul George's uniform is the 15th best-selling. The recent jersey number change is the second most controversial, after LeBron James, who returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers and reacquired his rookie jersey number 23. James previously wore No. 6 while playing for the Miami Heat.

In an article by Sports Illustrated, Paul George suffered from a compound leg fracture. He will not be wearing the new jersey for an entire season as he recuperates.