Paul George has quickly tuned into his best season as a player, averaging career-highs in scoring (27.1 points), rebounding (8.1) and steals (2.3) in 28 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yet despite the rousing success in his second year of partnership with Russell Westbrook, his clutch shooting has dropped precipitously.
George has made several game-winning baskets, which included a buzzer-beater against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season and a four-point play to win against the Philadelphia 76ers last week, but his shooting in crunch time hasn't been as strong as some think.
George was 0-for-15 on tying or game-winning attempts in the final 20 seconds of games during his tenure with the Indiana Pacers and before his game-winner against the Nets, he was 0-of-14 in is career on go-ahead shots in the final 10 seconds of a game, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Article Continues BelowIronically, George has been worse in the clutch, having shot 41 percent on shots in the final five minutes with the score separated by five points or less. He's shooting only 31 percent in those situations this seasons while getting more of those opportunities with Westbrook deferring to him as the closer.
George's averages only hint at better production from him as the season goes on, despite that 10 percent fall this season. As he gets more comfortable closing out games and expecting Westbrook to give him the ball, his shooting numbers should start to reflect that confidence, only to see him grow into the All-Star stud he's proved to be in the past.