The days of fringe MVP contention are long gone, but there’s still a good player in there somewhere. It has been tough sledding of late, and it will continue to get more challenging for Paul George as he ages. Even so, the list of 6-foot-8 wings with comparable shot-making and defensive chops are few and far between. Health is the primary challenge at this point. George just needs to stay on the court and build up a rhythm.
- Chris Kline
FanSided Staff Writer
He’s losing his burst on drives and there will be natural slippage as a finisher, but George still uncorks one of the smoothest mid-range pull-ups out there. That gracefulness has not evaporated (yet). He’s a dynamic shooter, a potent driving threat, and a more willing passer as the years begin to stack up. If George can continue to expand his repertoire and find new ways to impact winning as his scoring diminishes, that will obviously prolong his relevance on a list like this.
George has been a rock-solid defender since arriving in Philadelphia. That was his trademark once upon a time. He put together nice stints in OKC and LA as a high-level second star, but it’s probably time to start thinking more along the lines of a high-level complementary piece when gauging George’s value. The transition from great to good can really test fading stars, especially when ego is involved. Let’s assume, for now, that George will come out on the other side with enough left in the tank to put more good basketball under his belt.