Paul George is playing at an MVP level for the LA Clippers. His performance so far this season is as good as the superstar has ever been.
After a tough ending to the season for the LA Clippers and Paul George last year, the superstar wing knew he had to prove himself all over again. He made promises that he would do so, and he’s kept them so far this season.
When he reunited with his trainer from the 2018-19 OKC season, in which he finished 3rd in MVP voting behind just Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, PG told us to expect him to return to that form. And so far, he has absolutely done that. Take a look at his numbers per 100 possessions.
Paul George per 100 possessions statline, 2018-19: 35.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, 0.44/0.39/0.84 shooting.
Paul George per 100 possessions statline, 2020-21: 36.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.7 blocks, 0.50/0.515/0.92 shooting.
Compared to his MVP-candidate season, PG is giving up a steal and a rebound a half to pick up 2 assists and hyper-efficient shooting. By any advanced metric you’d like, really, George is having a season to match or exceed any he’s ever put up.
The LA Clippers are using Paul George’s hot performance to help push the offense while they figure out how exactly the bench is supposed to look and perform. It’s easier to tinker when your two superstars are combining for 50 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.
Despite all the talk, criticism and jokes aimed at Paul George after the playoffs ended the way they did, our superstar isn’t listening to the chatter. After some chatter between him and Doc Rivers, he’s been less vocal to the media, letting his play do the talking instead.
And talk it has. The first edition of the NBA’s MVP ladder had George at third in the league, and it’s hard to place him any lower than that. He may not be the favorite at the moment, but if he continues this level of play, we won’t be able to have the MVP conversation without mentioning PG.
More importantly, if he continues this level of play throughout the regular season and playoffs, the LA Clippers will be a formidable opponent for anybody else in a 7 game series.