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LA Clippers: Paul George’s playmaking is the most important thing this season

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts during a 129-96 Clippers win over the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center on January 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts during a 129-96 Clippers win over the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center on January 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE /
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The narrative surrounding the LA Clippers heading into this season was that the team lacked a true point guard, someone that could play make for this team.

Sure, they had Patrick Beverley as a starter but he has never averaged more than 4.2 assists per game during his career. Last season, Kawhi Leonard led the team in assists with a career-high (for now) 4.9 per game.

What would they do? Would a trade be made? Would the team just wait for the buyout market?

Something happened that none of us expected though:

Paul George stepped up as a playmaker for the LA Clippers.

George, who is absolutely flourishing this season overall, is especially effective this season as a playmaker. He’s assisting on 25.9% of his teammate’s shots when he’s on the court and his current 5.6 assists per game is only behind Kawhi Leonard (5.8 assists per game).

While Leonard’s playmaking is also huge and indicative of Ty Lue’s changes to the Clippers’ offense, George’s seems like a newer development in his game this season.

Related Story. Paul George is playing as well as he ever has. light

Prior to this season, George’s career-high in assists was only 4.1, which he did three times (twice in Indiana and once in Oklahoma City). While this year is only 1.5 more per game, it’s obvious when watching games that he’s making a more concerted effort to make the right play.

As Justin points out, PG’s turnovers are up. In fact, they’re nearly at four a game (also a career-high). That’s fine, though. There are bound to be growing pains as he expands his game.

Last night’s victory over the Kings was the perfect example of that. George posted his single game-high 12 assists but also had a game-high six turnovers. It happens.

As the team sits with the best record in the league at the time of writing, they obviously haven’t been that detrimental. PG will only improve as the season goes and we should see those turnovers go down.

The Clippers are passing better as a whole this season and that shouldn’t be overlooked. For reference, they are averaging 68.7 points created per game, up from 61.7 per game last season. Total assists are up from 23.7 to 25.1 per game. Ty Lue does deserve a lot of the credit.

Next. 3 Clippers exceeding expectations this season. dark

Even so, without Paul George developing into such a willing passer, this revamped LA Clippers offense wouldn’t be as good as it is. His continued development as a playmaker is going to be crucial to this team throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

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