It’s hard to tell whether Paul George wrestles or blossoms when he plays, one of the smoothest swingers in a bubble or a rough arena.
One of the reasons he is the perfect No. 2 for Kawhi Leonard is his ability to go from facilitator to dominator seamlessly without much change in his behavior, without the need to send out the bat signal – if he is at his best is.
But the call is out for “Playoff P” to find its game for the Los Angeles Clippers, and do it fast. It’s not that the Clippers are in any danger of revolt by the Dallas Mavericks; Luka Doncic’s ankle injury seems to have had a significant impact on his game after the Clippers’ defense was shattered, stopping their chances for an uprising.
His credentials have given confirmation power to those who not only feel that George can not be a primetime player on a championship team, but also the Clippers’ dignity of candidate status.
This season has been largely a chemistry experiment, where everyone is focused on the long game of winning everything by staying healthy. Developing synergy and continuity is hard to establish as the Clippers only had their full rotation of players for eight games (7-1 record), even before the pandemic hit.
It’s not quite a deal with the devil, but everyone involved knows the delicate balance that the Clippers have to run to maximize all the different parts in what constitutes a winning demand for a title.
George, perhaps even more so than Leonard, seems more like a litmus test. Leonard is not a soloist, not in the traditional sense. But he will operate well, despite the circumstances.
He will always get the same way, he will play airtight defense and show his rapid improvement as a player by hitting the open man with relative ease.
Paul George has so far been “Playoff P” for the Los Angeles Clippers. (Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
Leonard lives up to his big game references so far, averaging 33.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
It’s George who does not have the unavailable CV, but shoots seven for 33 from the field and misses 15 of his 18 3-point attempts over his last two games. George does not carry the appearance of frustration, although he is not as robotic as Leonard.
“I’m not James Harden. That’s not my fool,” said George, referring first to Harden’s offense, only offensive reputation. “Just to shoot the ball, score the ball. I can and I’m proud to be effective at both ends. But there will be nights like this where I just can not make a shot and I can not allow it. that affect my game. “
“I’m not James Harden … That’s not my chance, to shoot the ball to score the ball … And I’m proud to be effective at both ends.”
Paul George, when asked about his recent creativity and ability to do other things than score. pic.twitter.com/vC1eHDBOvG
– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 22, 2020
Unnecessarily shooting at Harden aside, they both share playoff reputations that fuel their regular season exploits. And sincerely as his remark may have been, he is worth the Clippers more than just the intangible. George is not there to be Andre Roberson, and he knows the personal expectations about his performance, the mockery around his nickname “Playoff P” could go through with the “Kobe stopper” or “Jordan stopper” should he come short.
He only gave a hint via social media after the Clippers recorded a 40-piece by Doncic that he at least hears the doubters, but that may not leave his influence.
At best, George Pippen can be like: disruptive on defense, unselfish of offense and the perfect wingman for Leonard, the reigning Final MVP and player who asked the Clippers to empty the house to get him.
Underqualified no. 1, overqualified no. 2, an ideal situation for George. As a top-3 MVP finisher last season, more resonated than those who saw Damian Lillard hit a riding triple-triple in his face to end Oklahoma City’s season.
“We are confident,” Leonard said after the Clippers’ Game 3 victory over Dallas on Friday night. ‘It will turn around for him. We have his back. ‘
Although he could merge as one of the boys, George could not be deployed in this way for the Clippers to take over the Lakers, if both sides meet in the West Finals.
There are countless Clippers who will say no to easy calories when George is less than stellar, many guys who do not have qualifications who make shoes for themselves, at the expense of keeping the team in rhythm. Lou Williams, wing-in-hand, is always ready. Montrezl Harrell comes off the bench in attack mode. New additions Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris are naturally aggressive while still finding their way.
Assuming Patrick Beverley makes it healthy again, he’s a willing defender and reliable spot shooter, but is not a traditional floor general. George poses as a consistent second scorer creating a natural sequence for the way this team is put together and limiting the randomness that the Clippers can do in a proportionally matching playoff series.
He facilitates and presumably, reduces the appetite for these other capable scorers too much.
On paper, this is the ideal situation for George, as long as he plays it perfectly without trying to play it perfectly.
The call is out for “Playoff P,” in hopes that Paul George will give up.
