Sport News Paul George: The MVP Candidate Nobody Talks About
Sports news
We’re only 20 games into the 2021-22 NBA season, but MVP of the Year favorites quickly claimed the award.
Stephen Curry’s shot propelled the Golden State Warriors to the top of the league with an 18-2 record, while DeMar DeRozan enjoys a career year in Chicago as the Bulls consolidate themselves as one of the best teams in the league. Eastern Conference. and
At the bottom of the list, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is preparing for another stat-rich season, while two-time winner Giannis Antetokounmpo is more than in the mix. In Brooklyn, Kevin Durant leads the NBA in scoring with 28.6 points per game.
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This group of five men make headlines among the top contenders, but there is one man who goes about his business quietly and deserves to have his name by their side.
LA Clippers star Paul George.
The Clippers entered the season with big doubts following Kawhi Leonard’s off-season meniscus surgery which ruled out the two-time MVP from the final for an extended period.
With Paul George wearing the team to the playoffs last season, many wondered if he could do it for most of the regular season. With the ball in his hands as the No.1 option on offense, the 31-year-old is now enjoying his best season since finishing third in the MVP vote in 2018-19 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Paul George’s stats for the past four seasons (NBA.com/Stats)
| YEAR | TEAM | pls | CER | AST | LIST | FG% | 3P% |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 25.9 | 7.5 | 5.2 | 1.8 | 42.8 | 33.3 |
| 2020-21 | LAKE | 23.3 | 6.6 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 46.7 | 41.1 |
| 2019-20 | LAKE | 21.5 | 5.7 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 43.9 | 41.2 |
| 2018-19 | OKAY | 28.0 | 8.2 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 43.8 | 38.6 |
In Leonard’s absence, George took full control of the Clippers’ offense, with his career-high 33.7% utilization rate, the second-highest in the league behind the Dallas Mavericks star. , Luka Doncic.
In addition to his score, George has an impact on the offense with his improved playing which helps create easy looks for actors like Terance Mann, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Ivica Zubac, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who have all thrived under his direction.
George currently leads the Clippers in assists at 5.2 per game, tying his career-best mark from last season.
“We need him to do whatever he does to get us to be in the position that we are,” Jackson said. “I think he’s playing at the best level and he’s in the best frame of mind he’s ever had.”
Perhaps the most surprising part of the Clippers’ start to the 11-9 season, good for fifth in the Western Conference, was their defense, led by George, who this season looks more like the dominant threat. back and forth we’ve come to expect on a nightly basis.
The Clippers currently sit second in the defensive standings, allowing 102.2 points per 100 possessions and according to Basketball Reference, George is second in the NBA in defensive wins behind reigning defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert.
“PG alone doesn’t get enough credit for the guy he is, the teammate he is, you know how positive he stays and the mother can play,” said Clippers forward Marcus Morris. “I haven’t played against a guy or a guy who was so fluid in his game at 6-9, 6-8, being able to do what he does.
“He deserves this chance to be mentioned with the great players, and I just feel like he’s always left out. I do not know what it is.
George’s value to the Clippers on both ends of the pitch only solidifies his MVP case, especially without their No.1 option to Kawhi Leonard.
While he may not be getting the applause just yet, there’s no denying George’s value to his team.
