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Forget all the “Pandemic P” jokes. Forget last year's playoff struggles. This is no longer an Internet trend. Paul George has to perform for the Los Angeles Clippers.
George was on the wrong end of a lot of online humor during the “bubble,” and the Clippers were criticized after giving him a huge contract extension prior to the start of the season. However, PG13 showed he was deserving of that money.
The 31-year-old averaged 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 54 regular-season games. He shot nearly 47 percent from the field and over 41 percent from beyond the arc.
The on-ball defense might not have been quite as stellar as in past seasons, but nobody would dare suggest Paul George is a poor perimeter defender. He also rated highly in terms of deflections.
When all was said and done, George had made his case for selection to one of the All-NBA teams. Even if he doesn't ultimately get selected, George had that kind of season.
Yet, it's as though none of it matters. The playoff nightmares are returning.
Paul George hardly resembled the superstar the Clippers need him to be in Game 1 of L.A.'s Western Conference semifinal against the Utah Jazz. He scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but also shot a woeful 4-for-17 from the field, despite shooting a more respectable 3-for-8 from deep. That's right, George missed eight of his nine two-point attempts.
This is the second straight performance of pretty shocking inefficiency from George, who shot 5-for-15 in a Game 7 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. It gets worse, though.
According to Stathead, Paul George has 10 career playoff games with a field goal percentage (min. 15 attempts) of .250 or worse, which is the most among active players and three more than anyone else.
Paul George has 10 career playoff games shooting 25% or worse with at least 15 attempts. That's the most among active players and 3 more than anyone else.https://t.co/oMhHyZLQM5 pic.twitter.com/PwevNXjzlI
— Stathead (@Stathead) June 9, 2021
That's not a very good reflection on George, nor will it dissuade anyone from believing he doesn't show up when it matters most.
Well, now is when it matters most. A 1-0 hole is hardly the end of the world, but the Clippers can ill afford to go down 2-0 for a second straight series, especially against a balanced Jazz team that will only get stronger when Mike Conley returns.
Plus, there are other ramifications at play for George and the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard can opt out this summer. He is likely to do just that whether he wants to return to L.A. or not, but will he want to come back if his co-star keeps shrinking in the playoffs?
Losing Leonard would deprive the Clippers of one of the top talents in the NBA and leave George essentially on an island playing for an organization without a clear sense of direction and very little in the way of draft capital.
The guess here is George would like to avoid that kind of ghastly scenario. To do that, he's going need to play at an All-NBA level as the Clippers fight to reach their first conference finals.
George is saying all the right things. He mentioned feeling motivated by the trash talk from fans in Utah. However, that talk needs to be backed up with strong quality of play.
It's put up or shut up time for Paul George.
