Paul George has the LA Clippers playing like the favorites
After a somewhat disappointing showing in the NBA playoffs over the summer, many expected Paul George (and the LA Clippers) to come out strong this season. And that’s exactly what has happened. Though, I’m not sure many expected him to be the NBA MVP favorite through 16 games.
While that last statement is very much up for debate, you can’t really argue with the numbers that George has put up this season. George is on pace for a career-year in efficiency and the Clippers are quietly cruising along in the Western Conference.
Along with Kawhi Leonard, George has helped lead the Clippers to a 12-4 record which is good enough for first place in the West. LA also has the No. 1 offense in the league and has quietly rounded out into one of the best teams that no one seems to be talking about.
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Individually, George is averaging 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists on 52 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range. He also has a career-best PER (player efficiency rating) of 23.94.
While you may argue that George and the Clippers, for that matter, will only be judged and remembered by what they do in the playoffs, you might have a point. The Clippers are a team constructed to win a championship and not for reguar season success.
That said, what George has done this seaosn thus far can’t be overlooked. He’s on pace for a career-year and has looked as healthy as he’s looked in quite a while. If he can continue to play at the pace over the course of the season, there’s no question that he’s going to be one of the favorites to win the NBA MVP award.
In fact, you can probaby make the case that he might be the favorite to win the award at the moment. There are other players that have been sensational this season, but the LA Clippers are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the NBA and George is having a slightly better season than Kawhi statistic-wise.
The great thing about George is that he’s a two-way player. He’s a great and efficeint offensive player and then turns around and helps lock down his opponent’s best player. If Paul George can put his previous playoff issues aside, there’s no question the Clippers are going to be that strong championship contender that many expected them to be last season.
The LA Clippers are slowly transforming into a monster in the Western Conference. That’s not to say this team is without fault, but if this team can continue to get max production out of its top stars there’s no question this team will emerge as a true threat to the defending champs in the playoffs.