Can We Be Honest About Paul George for a Second?

[GreenWarrior]

"Can We Be Honest About Paul George for a Second? "

ehh, i'd rather continue making stuff up about him.

[td450]

If you step back and look at the rest of their roster and where they are in the standings, its pretty impressive (maybe not as impressive as the C's, but impressive!)

Whenever I've watched them, the offense runs through him. Hill and Ellis are having poor seasons and don't generate a lot of opportunities for others. He makes plays he couldn't make a couple of years ago.

I think he takes tough shots. Given his size and skills, I would think he could learn to overpower most 3's, but he hasn't figured that out yet. But he's already one of the top 8 or so players in the league. He's also only 25 and missed a whole year. He will likely get a notch better in the next couple of years.

[mctyson]

I wanted to say that Paul George wasn't top 10 but then I looked at the best players in the league and just wasn't impressed.

Curry
Lebron
Durant
Westbrook
Harden
Davis
Cousins
George
Paul?
Lillard?

I was under the impression that the league was getting better and more competitive, but is that really the case?

I would certainly put Chris Paul ahead of Paul George, if not in the top 5.  I would take Lillard over George, though just slightly.

[tankcity!]

I would give the kitchen sink for a young Paul George. Look at Monta's stats for example. They are not good this year. If George was on the Celtics, people would consider him a top 5 player. Players need talent around them and George has none. Maybe the rookie Turner, but he isn't that good yet.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I would give the kitchen sink for a young Paul George. Look at Monta's stats for example. They are not good this year. If George was on the Celtics, people would consider him a top 5 player. Players need talent around them and George has none. Maybe the rookie Turner, but he isn't that good yet.

I think the talent on that team is better than people think. Their coach is a great coach too.

Even though I think people overrate his offense, I would also give the kitchen sink for him. I just want to be honest about his efficiency, something that has plagued him his entire career and does not appear to be going away, especially with his shot selection.

[RJ87]

I actually think he's underrated. Look at that team. Monta's been a no-show 90% of the year. They've dismantled a team that made the conference finals with him as the focal point and the 2nd best player in Indiana right now is Myles Turner. Still, they'll likely make the playoffs.

I think if you swapped him out with the best wing player on a playoff team, he puts them over the top. Can you imagine Toronto with George instead of Derozan? Or in Boston instead of Crowder?

[crimson_stallion]

George is not as good at offense as he thinks he is.

After an explosive beginning of the season, from December through February, he is average 39% from the floor and 34% from 3. He is also averaging 3.6 TO per game.

"But he is coming off injury" - These shooting percentages are right in line with the rest of his career. When his usage rate goes up, his percentages go down. Also, he started the year really well and he finished last season. Guys coming back from injury normally start poorly.

"But his teammates ..." - He has two really good playoff guards to help him run the offense and take pressure off of him. His bigs are inconsistent and young, but Mahinmi, Turner, and Hill have all played above expectations this year.

The brilliance of Paul George is his elite two-way play. His defense is not as good this year as it has been, but he gives you great play on both sides of the ball.

I don't think he is going anywhere, but Celtic fans who clamor for George need to understand that his numbers a bit inflated because of usage, but he does not have elite efficiency. After watching some of his games, I think he has a little Monte Ellis in him these days.

You underrate George, I think.

He's leading a Pacers team who's talent level should have them in the bottom 5 in the East, and he's had them in a playoff spot all season long.

He's a versatile scorer - he can hit the outside shot, he can hit the midrange jumper, he can get into the paint and finish above the rim, and he's a very good passer. 

His efficiency may not be great but I can't imagine anybody being very efficient on the crapty Pacers teams he's played on. 

Also not sure why you highlight his three point shooting - he's shot at least 36% from three every season except his rookie season (five seasons in a row now).

I don't think George is an elite offensive player (on par with Melo, Durant, Curry, etc) but he's a very good offensive player.  I'd say that offensively he is basically Demarr Derozan with an outside shot, but on defense he's far better.

[crimson_stallion]

I actually think he's underrated. Look at that team. Monta's been a no-show 90% of the year. They've dismantled a team that made the conference finals with him as the focal point and the 2nd best player in Indiana right now is Myles Turner. Still, they'll likely make the playoffs.

I think if you swapped him out with the best wing player on a playoff team, he puts them over the top. Can you imagine Toronto with George instead of Derozan? Or in Boston instead of Crowder?

We would be up there with Toronto, battling Cleveland very closely for the #1 seed.  At least I think so.

[Celtics4ever]

When I read this thread title I thought it was a bonehead trade for PG for a 2nd rounder, such is the way of CB.  Refreshed to find it is not.

[Smartacus]

Don't think he's a very creative offensive player. He'll hit 3-5 shots early just based on the fact that he's a superior athlete but once the defense starts taking those away he usually doesn't have a counter to fall back on and starts jacking 3's hitting just enough of them to allow him to keep firing.

He doesn't have too much of a developed in between game like Kawhi does despit being a fair bit more explosive. He's a strait line driver but lacks the kind of touch around the rim that guys like Doctor J and James Worthy had. Personally think he's a better athlete than a ball player. Top 15 for sure but I'm not sure about top 10.

I'd take
Curry
Lebron
Durant
Harden
Westbrook
Kawhi
Blake Griffin
Anthony Davis
Cousins
Lillard
CP3
Over him

He's around Melo in the flawed stars tier IMO.

[RJ87]

Don't think he's a very creative offensive player. He'll hit 3-5 shots early just based on the fact that he's a superior athlete but once the defense starts taking those away he usually doesn't have a counter to fall back on and starts jacking 3's hitting just enough of them to allow him to keep firing.

He doesn't have too much of a developed in between game like Kawhi does despit being a fair bit more explosive. He's a strait line driver but lacks the kind of touch around the rim that guys like Doctor J and James Worthy had. Personally think he's a better athlete than a ball player. Top 15 for sure but I'm not sure about top 10.

I'd take
Curry
Lebron
Durant
Harden
Westbrook
Kawhi
Blake Griffin
Anthony Davis
Cousins
Lillard
CP3
Over him

He's around Melo in the flawed stars tier IMO.

What's the criteria? Is this just offense? Because i don't know how you can say he's on Melo's level and then put Lillard and Harden over him. Even Griffin. Harden doesn't even try on the defensive end. Lillard should improve there, but right now George is light years ahead on the defensive end.

Does ability to help your team win count here? I think Cousins gets notched down despite having a more talented team. George has been the best player on a team that made the conference finals. He's going to get indy into the playoffs this year.

It gets interesting with Kawhi. Both elite defenders, but I fully believe that if you put George on that Spurs team, they'd be title favorites.