Paul George is embracing his leadership role without Kawhi Leonard.
Expectations have always been high for a player of Paul George‘s caliber as he has not disappointed this as he is carrying the LA Clippers and has led them to a 6-4 record as they currently sit in 6th place in the Western Conference.
The Clippers began the season on a sour note going 1-4 and looking like a team that could struggle but George has played excellent getting the Clippers back on track. What’s even more impressive is the fact that he is elevating the team without fellow superstar Kawhi Leonard as he continues to be sidelined with an injury.
George is very capable of carrying a team if he needs to as he has placed the Clippers squarely on his shoulders as they have won five games in a row as one of the hottest teams in the league right now. George is averaging 26.7 points per game which is good for 5th best in the NBA.
George is also on a trajectory to put up career highs in rebounds, assists, and steals per game as he is putting up these MVP-worthy numbers but will he be able to sustain his dominating performances and remain consistent throughout the season? Will George be able to continue playing at this level when Leonard returns to the lineup?
It appears that George’s game has evolved as he is showing a sense of urgency as he knows that he must play well and be able to take over games if the Clippers are to continue having success. Whenever Leonard returns, it may mean fewer touches for George, but then again, he will still get his fair share as teams worry about Leonard’s presence as George will still impact the game with intangibles such as his defensive prowess and ability to make plays for others.
Another weapon that George possesses in his arsenal is his perimeter shooting. Over the years George has also improved his percentage from behind the arc as he is a career 38.3 percent shooter from downtown. Also with his ability to gain separation and get open looks for himself and score without getting to the basket as he makes defenses have to account for him inside and out. When George and Leonard signed with the Clippers, they were dominant scoring wings who never really had to prioritize playmaking due to playing with teammates who could open up the floor for them.
Now on a team void of playmakers, both stars have had to evolve their game in order for the Clippers’ offense to flow freely as everything is working out in their favor. It’s also a testament to just how good a coach Tyronn Lue is. Without a commanding presence at point guard, George has taken over the responsibility as he initiates the offense on almost every possession.
The numbers don’t lie as he has posted a career-high in assists last season to being on pace to have career marks in that category once again. Here’s to believing that the Clippers astounding playoff run last season better prepared George for this moment as he performed well when Leonard went down with a knee injury forcing him to take over and become the main focal point the Clippers had to rely on.
During the 8-game stretch of the playoffs without Leonard, George put up 29.6 points per game as the Clippers came up two wins short of reaching the NBA Finals. A lot of critics are sleeping on these Clippers and underestimating how far George can carry them.
It’s a long season and it’s a rough mountain to climb in the gauntlet which is the Western Conference, but George appears to be up to the challenge of taking this team to new heights as their leader.