1. Paul George
After the Clippers’ early postseason exit and even his contract extension, the six-time NBA All-Star in shooting guard/small forward Paul George remains the most criticized player in the league. This new NBA season is a huge season for George as this is his statement season.
He has shown that so far in these two games this season as George has averaged 28 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, six assists per game (team-high), and one steal per game on 36.5 minutes per game. He made a statement in their first game of the season against the Lakers by accounting for 33 points on a 13-of-18 field goal shooting (5-for-8 from three-point range), three assists, six rebounds, and one steal.
George has stated that he does not reflect on the disappointments of this past season and the postseason that started in the first round against Dallas. While he doesn’t look at the Nuggets game as a revenge game, Clipper Nation did. Now the fan base and some of the players will look to get revenge against Dallas for forcing a series of six games in the first round.
George’s personal and psychological problems were public after multiple disappointing performances against Dallas. This game will be much significant to George than will admit. George wants to continue playing like he was when was he was an NBA All-Star in 2019. He will have to get over the mental hurdle when he and the Clippers face the Mavericks.
George will have to be the two-way star of the Clippers against the Mavericks now that Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out. He will be facing multiple scoring matches against Doncic. He will have to be one of the main defenders at the top of the wing with Beverley facing Doncic. This means he will have to restrict shooting guards Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Richardson from getting those sneaky three-point buckets.
This game will continue to help George be back into the discussion of one of the top ten best players in the NBA. George could potentially have his first 40-point game since scoring 46 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 13th, 2019.