The LA Clippers knew before the season that it could be a struggle. The squad that won 47 games last season and lost in the Western Conference Finals was aware that main star Kawhi Leonard could be out for the duration of 2021-22, or at the very least its vast majority. However, the Clippers still started the season playing some good basketball and although they have slowed down, they have shown signs of great potential even without the Klaw.
That effort, unsurprisingly, has been led by Paul George, an early-season candidate for the league's top individual honor. Here are two reasons why George will win MVP this season.
Favorable narrative
Right now, the Clippers are 12-12, mostly due to disappointing losses to some lowly teams in the past few games. Still, they've gotten enough quality wins this season that those games could factor into George's MVP case. When a team loses its best player, struggles are almost inevitable. However, while LA's record isn't amazing, its dip is really not as steep as many expected. Why? The fact that many underestimated George coming into the season.
The Clippers were thought of as a team where Leonard shoulders the most responsibility and George is there to compliment him. He was not necessarily thought of as Leonard's equal or even part of some devastating one-two punch. However, oddly enough, this plays right into the hands of George and his prospects of winning basketball's most prestigious regular-season award. The reason why Stephen Curry won it in 2015, other than his play and team success, was that no one really saw it coming. Everyone knew that Curry was an amazing talent, obviously, but it took the world by surprise when he really came into his own as a superstar.
Of course, George is a bit different. He's already been a leader in his NBA career, like his last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he finished third in MVP voting, and his stint with the Indiana Pacers, when he led a serious charge to dethrone LeBron James and the Miami Heat. While he's not coming out of the blue like Curry, the Clippers star has gradually been forgotten and leapfrogged by many other superstars around the league. The fact that he is even in this conversation is a credit to his play this season and might build a narrative strong enough to support his MVP case.
Two things must happen for this to materialize. First, the Clippers need to win more games, as they routinely lose against some bottom-tier NBA squads. Secondly, George needs to keep this up and consistently put up some amazing numbers. These two factors are solely in the control of George and the Clippers, who need to make their way up the standings for George to win the award.
Losses against the New Orleans Pelicans or the Sacramento Kings, like in the last few games, are completely unacceptable. It is worth mentioning, however, that these losses came despite George's efforts, not because of him.
Wide-open field
While there are a number of players having great seasons, there's nobody truly separating himself from the pack.
Curry and Kevin Durant are obvious candidates. Giannis Antetokounmpo is charging hard after the Milwaukee Bucks' sluggish start, while Nikola Jokic is doing all he can to keep the Denver Nuggets afloat despite brutal health problems. LeBron James could still work himself back into the conversation. The dominant Phoenix Suns have Chris Paul and Devin Booker playing at a high level. Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has been great, and perhaps even Chicago Bulls stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are fringe candidates.
Those first four names are likely George's biggest competition, but there are still opportunities for him to make up ground in the MVP race. Curry will be getting his Splash Brother Klay Thompson back around Christmas, which will surely turn his usage rate down. Also, Durant will need to rest more this season, with an increased usage rate due to Kyrie Irving's absence and James Harden struggling this year.
George, on the other hand, will not be getting his co-star back any time soon. Leonard, unfortunately, tore his ACL and even if he comes back, it will be in the last couple of games of the regular season to be ready for the playoffs. Additionally, George has played all but one game this year, which was a nine-point loss to the Kings. If he does not rest much, George might have that argument to tout when it comes time for MVP debates.
Moving past Curry and Durant, Jokic and Antetokounmpo are also seizing ground in the discussion as of late. The Bucks are hitting their stride after a rough start and Jokic is dragging this Nuggets team over the line as much as he can, through the plethora of injuries they suffered. However, both of these players recently won MVPs, so there could be voter fatigue that impacts their chances. They may have to be especially dominant for great teams to win.
At 31, George needs to seize this opportunity to win the award. MVP discussions are usually dominated by narratives, and all three players that are frontrunners have some advantage in that respect Durant is dominating without Irving and Curry rejuvenated a Warriors team that trod water for the last two seasons, but George has potential for the stronger narrative—winning without the clear-cut best player on the team.
Considering many didn't put George in the same echelon as Durant and Curry before the season, it's clear PG has a huge chance to make this his year.
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