Paul George is “Totally Fine” as The Los Angeles Clippers’ No. 2 Option
Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George made it clear on Sunday that Kawhi Leonard is the team’s number one option now that he is back from injury.
The All-Star duo is looking to return to the playoffs after falling in the second play-in game during the 2021-22 NBA season. They’re looking to make a title run in their fourth season on the Clippers together.
A season ago, the Clippers were without two-time Finals MVP Leonard as he recovered from an ACL injury. He suffered the ACL injury in the second round of the NBA playoffs in the 2020-21 season. While Leonard was out, George stepped up and took control of the team. In only 31 games, George averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.2 steals.
As the clear number-one option last season, it was interesting to see if he would stay that way with Leonard returning from injury. However, following the team’s preseason loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, George made it clear what the situation will be according to a report from ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
”Listen, Kawhi is the No. 1,” George said. “And I am totally fine with that. I think I try to complement him with being able to take the load off of him.”
The two stars have the Clippers looking to be title contenders in the ever-competitive Western Conference. George knows he still has an extremely important role if they’re to make it to their first NBA Finals on the Clippers.
“I feel my job is to make everybody better,” George said. “That is what I try to do when I am on the floor, just make the game easy for everybody, whether it is creating or just being aggressive.”
He continued to say, “I think we will go a long ways if everybody just knows their role and what we bring to the table.”
Leonard and George teamed up in Los Angeles in 2019. They’ve only played 104 total games together due in large part to injuries suffered by both players. The window to win a championship is still open for the Clippers. They will need both George and Leonard to stay healthy and perform as one of the league’s premier one-two combos.
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