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Paul George came out of nowhere during the 2018-19 season to push his name squarely into MVP consideration. “PG13” was in his second and final year with the OKC Thunder when he turned in his best NBA season.
In 77 games, George averaged 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and a league-best 2.2 steals. When the final voting result came out, he finished third in the MVP race behind winner Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, the previous season’s best player.
One could easily argue that Paul George’s numbers would have looked even more impressive if he wasn’t playing with Russell Westbrook. “Russ” was still Oklahoma’s franchise player and handled the ball at will.
Westbrook’s 22.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 10.7 apg and 1.7 spg certainly took some of the sting off George’s impressive season. As mind-boggling as “Brodie’s” numbers were, he didn’t even crack the top five of the MVP race that season.
Paul George is backing up his All-Star selection with his production
Some fans couldn’t believe Paul George was selected for this year’s All-Star team. Like all the reserves, he was voted in by NBA coaches, who saw how important he was to the LA Clippers.
George is averaging 23.9 ppg,6.1 rpg, 5.1 apg and 1.5 spg. “PG13” is also hitting 45.6% of his shots, including 37.5% from behind the arc. The former Most Improved Player of the Year winner (2012-13) remains one of the smoothest operators on offense and a smothering defensive force.
“Young Trece” has conceded playing "1B" to Kawhi Leonard’s "1A" status, but will not shy away from demanding the ball when the need arises. The Clippers are just so much better when George sustains his aggressiveness despite being just a tad below Leonard in alpha status.
The most number of games George had played as a member of the Clippers was during the 2020-21 season. He was on the floor for 54 games. George has now seen action for his team in 55 games with still about 10 more to go this season.
"PG13" is available and has been playing elite basketball.
Also read: Paul George calls Jayson Tatum MVP candidate - “He could have very well been satisfied with that”
Paul George was putting up MVP numbers early in the 2021-22 season
During the first 20 games of the 2021-22 season, an argument could have been made that George was the best player in the NBA. He averaged 25.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.2 apg and 1.8 spg. Without the injured Kawhi Leonard, George showed that he could carry the LA Clippers on his back.
However, injuries slowed him down and eventually cut his season short to just 31 games. George finished that season with a stat line that reads: 24.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.7 apg and 2.2 spg.
Last season was the closest he had come to replicating his magical 2018-19 campaign.
You may also like to read: Paul George makes bold claim about LeBron James and Luka Doncic: “Nobody will be cut that way to take care of your body”
