LA Clippers: Paul George is a top 20 NBA player

The LA Clippers’ Paul George is still a top 20 player in the NBA.

On Tuesday, ESPN+ (subscription required) continued their list of who they think will be the best players in the NBA this season. Notably, for the LA Clippers and their fans, Paul George was ranked at just 20th overall.

Paul George is not going to only be the 20th best player in the league this year.

I don’t even think this is a crazy take to have. I’m not advocating that he be in the top ten. Honestly, something in the range of 13 to 18 makes sense. Here’s my top ten this season in no particular order:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Anthony Davis
3. LeBron James
4. Kawhi Leonard
5. Luka Doncic
6. Stephen Curry
7. James Harden
8. Joel Embiid
9. Nikola Jokic
10. Kevin Durant

I’m sure you all will argue one or two players with me on that list, but for the most part, that group seems to be a pretty solid consensus. Outside of that group, you have guys like Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Jimmy Butler, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and of course, Paul George.

Can you honestly look at the names I have listed out and say there is someone better than Paul George still not written down? Furthermore, are we really at the point where Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker, and Zion Williamson are considered better players? ESPN thinks so.

My Zion argument is a simple one. I love the kid and think he will have a breakout year. That being said, he barely had a rookie year playing in just 24 games. There will still be learning curves and he may hit a “rookie wall” despite being in his sophomore year. This is just ESPN trying to push the poster child of the next generation while also getting people to click on their list. Let’s give credit where credit is due. It’s working.

For Jimmy Butler, the ranking has to be recency bias. Butler had an amazing postseason with the Miami Heat, leading them to a surprising NBA Finals appearance. Many have argued though that the Heat were built for a situation like the bubble and may not find that same success this season. Who knows?

Statistically, the two were similar last season. George averaged 21.5 points on 43.9% shooting (41.2% from three), 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks. Butler put up 19.9 points on 45.5% shooting (24.4% from deep), 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks. Seems like Butler has better numbers, right? Well, yes barely but remember that he was Miami’s first option while George was the second option on the Clippers.

Devin Booker is an offensive juggernaut and he should be better this season playing alongside Chris Paul. I don’t doubt that. On the defensive end though, he still is not excellent, something that PG has over many players on this list. Booker’s time might come but as of this point, PG is still probably the better all-around player, right?

Everyone got their Playoff P jokes off when the LA Clippers lost in the second round. I get it. That doesn’t take away from the fact that he’s still well within the top 20 in the league. He’ll prove that this season.