Projected top NBA draft pick Brandon Miller made headlines by declaring Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George his all-time greatest basketball player. During a pre-draft press conference, Miller stated, "I actually don’t think LeBron is the GOAT of basketball. My GOAT of basketball is Paul George. I grew up watching him. It was never just LeBron." This statement quickly ignited discussions across social media and sports commentary platforms.

Miller, who averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during his freshman season at Alabama, is expected to be a top pick in the upcoming NBA draft. The San Antonio Spurs are projected to select Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick, leaving Miller and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson vying for the second and third spots. Miller has previously mentioned modeling his game after George, admiring the Clippers star's defensive prowess and incorporating some of his moves into his own style.

Paul George's podcast, "Podcast P with Paul George," acknowledged Miller's comments with a supportive message. While George is an eight-time All-Star with a career average of 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, his accolades don't typically place him in the "greatest of all time" conversation, which usually revolves around players like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Reactions to Miller's statement ranged from amusement to disbelief. ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith called the comment "Utterly ridiculous." Many fans and analysts expressed their surprise on Twitter, using memes and GIFs to convey their reactions. While George is a respected player, his achievements haven't reached the level of those traditionally considered the greatest in the sport.

This unexpected declaration from Miller adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming draft, as his bold statement has certainly sparked conversation and debate amongst basketball fans and experts.