George on watching Kawhi in college: His intensity 'was on another level'

California natives Paul George and Kawhi Leonard grew up playing basketball in their home state but didn't cross paths until they were both in college.

In a piece George penned for The Players' Tribune, which focuses on the Palmdale-born player's journey back to California, he recounts the time he first saw his new Los Angeles Clippers teammate.

"People keep saying, 'Oh, you and Kawhi, you guys have been knowing each other since you were coming up in (the Amateur Athletic Union),'" George writes. "But that’s how you really know who’s from Los Angeles, because (we) weren’t in the same orbit at all. I didn’t meet Kawhi until I was in college and he was playing for San Diego State."

George admits they were supposed to first meet at a LeBron James camp during the 2008-09 season while George was in his freshman year at Fresno State. Leonard ended up attending the camp late while George left early because of an injury, which prevented the two from crossing paths.

The two superstars finally got the chance to square off against each other when George was a sophomore.

"I didn’t think anything else of the dude until we’re playing San Diego State my sophomore year, and I’m looking down their roster and I see, 'F - Kawhi Leonard,' and I’m like, 'Ohhhhhhhhh,'" George writes before acknowledging that the two-time Finals MVP's intensity back then "was on another level."

"I remember looking at him after the game, like, 'Oh, OK. You’re different. You’re a dog,'" George recounts.

While the star duo haven't suited up together for the Clippers yet - George is listed as probable for Thursday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans, while Leonard is sitting due to "left knee injury management" - the pair could potentially play on their hometown court as soon as Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.