Author of a very high level postseason a few months ago, Paul George put behind him his nickname of Pandemic-P to take up that of Playoffs-P. Without Kawhi Leonard, he has shown he can carry the Clippers on his shoulders. He will have to do the same this season, and he feels ready for the challenge.
If there is one player we expected at the turn during the 2021 Playoffs, it is Paul George. After the bubble fiasco and certain not always very inspired statements, PG-13 simply did not have the right to miss it, under penalty of living a calamitous summer. And we must admit that Paulo has step-up, especially after the injury of Kawhi Leonard in the second round of the Playoffs. His stats during the last postseason? 26.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.0 steals on average in almost 41 minutes per night, at 44% shooting success. Very serious the boy. Without Kawhi, PG even climbed to 29.6 points (43.8% shooting), 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 caviars and 1.4 steals in eight games. This there, this is the real Playoffs-P. If George had two-three air holes during this campaign (like Game 2 of the series against Utah with a 4/17 shot, or his failed free throws against Phoenix in Game 2 of the Conference Finals), hard to blame him for anything so much he carried the Clippers, them who experienced the first Conference Final in their history and who have gone to just two wins from an NBA Finals appearance. Through his performances, Paul George not only closed a lot of mouths but he also regained some confidence, a confidence that will help him to put the cover back this year, where he will once again have to guide the Clippers as Kawhi Leonard is in the infirmary.
“I’m approaching this year wanting to achieve one of the most complete seasons of my career. This is what I showed and proved to myself during the Playoffs ”declared PG-13 via USA Today. “I saw what I needed to see, and this group proved what they can do despite Kawhi’s absence. That was enough to make me realize what to bring, what to add, and what to work on. I am ready to fight for this year. I’ve been in this position before, so I feel pretty comfortable with being number one, and I’m ready to be the leader. “
Paul George is a player who was the number one offensive option for the Pacers in his younger years, he who made a name for himself especially through his battles with LeBron James and the Heat. Paul George is also a guy who finished in the Top 3 of the MVP ranking not so long ago, namely in 2019 with the Thunder. So yes, he can feel right at home, especially after his 2021 Playoffs, even though he’s had a lot of ups and downs in recent years. PG has proven on the biggest stage that he can still carry a team and if this is the same Paulo we find this season, the Clippers will remain a very serious team in the West despite the long absence of Kawhi leonard. Uncertainty continues to reign over Kawhi’s return, but he is unlikely to return until the final regulars games at the earliest. George will therefore have to guide all these beautiful people within a Wild Wild West still as dangerous. Produce offensively, involve your teammates, control the game, set the tone in defense and voice in the locker room, this is the to-do list for PG-13 this year, determined to assume all the responsibilities. And if he ticks all of those boxes while helping the Clippers stay at the top of the basket in the West, George may well find himself among the very credible contenders for the 2021-22 MVP title.
“We all have to do more, be better, especially without Kawhi being there. But I really trust PG to guide us throughout the year. PG will be our leader. “
– Nicolas Batum
Is Paul George about to release an MVP-caliber campaign for us? Possible, on the condition of course that he avoids the infirmary because we know that he has a tendency to miss matches against Paulo. But he looks healthy and has the mindset necessary to make a lot of noise this season. Watch out !
Source texte : USA Today
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