As the Clippers prepared to play Game 5 for their survival on the Suns floor, Paul George spoke to the media for the first time since his withdrawal from the prosecution following his sprained right knee on March 21.
Previewed in training hoping to return to action before the end of the season, the winger took stock of a 2022-2023 exercise that went wrong, and it is the fault, once again, injuries, for him and Kawhi Leonard during the series.
George and Leonard have only played 38 matches together
“It’s super frustrating. To invest so much in the season, in this group, this franchise, to ensure that this team can be competitive. And still, year after year, to be zapped because of injuries, it’s frustrating., did he declare. “That’s not why I came here, and I know Kawhi didn’t either. We obviously had big plans to win, and to do something special for the Clipper Nation, but I really believe that nothing happens by chance (…). I remain very optimistic that our time will come.”
This season, the George-Leonard tandem could only be aligned 38 times because of injuries, for a record of 24 wins for 14 losses. What comfort Paul George in the fact that the Clippers are still on the right track.
“We just had a very short stint together this season. But we have seen what we are capable of when everyone is at their best and in good health. We haven’t really had time to put everything in place, but I think it’s enough to move forward and be very optimistic about what we can do in the years to come. “.
The Clippers have found their “Big Three”
In addition, the good note of this end of the season will remain the rise of Russell Westbrook. Free agent unprotected this summer, the All-Star point guard can count on the support of Paul George, who hopes to see him again with the Clippers next season.
“He’s become the Russ he used to be. We all knew he was still capable of doing it. There will certainly be decisions to be made during the offseason. I vouched for his presence here. I will be too so that he comes back”, he pointed out. “ He brings a lot to his team and it’s amazing to watch him. Russ is older than me but he’s putting his physique on the line. He’s literally giving his all for our franchise in these playoffs. I think he’s the leader we needed as a point guard going forward, and I would love for him to come back.”.
Such a trio at its best equipped with sacred lieutenants like this season, and the Clippers would indeed have enough to remain competitive.
| Paul George | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2010-11 | IND | 61 | 21 | 45.3 | 29.7 | 76.2 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 7.8 |
| 2011-12 | IND | 66 | 30 | 44.0 | 38.5 | 80.2 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 12.1 |
| 2012-13 | IND | 79 | 38 | 41.9 | 36.2 | 80.7 | 1.1 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 17.4 |
| 2013-14 | IND | 80 | 36 | 42.4 | 36.4 | 86.4 | 0.8 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2014-15 | IND | 6 | 15 | 36.7 | 40.9 | 72.7 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 8.8 |
| 2015-16 | IND | 81 | 35 | 41.8 | 37.2 | 86.0 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 23.1 |
| 2016-17 | IND | 75 | 36 | 46.2 | 39.4 | 89.8 | 0.8 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 23.7 |
| 2017-18 | OKAY | 79 | 37 | 43.0 | 40.1 | 82.2 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 22.0 |
| 2018-19 | OKAY | 77 | 37 | 43.8 | 38.6 | 83.9 | 1.4 | 6.8 | 8.2 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 28.0 |
| 2019-20 | LAKE | 48 | 30 | 43.9 | 41.2 | 87.6 | 0.5 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 21.5 |
| 2020-21 | LAKE | 54 | 34 | 46.7 | 41.1 | 86.8 | 0.8 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 5.2 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 23.3 |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 31 | 35 | 42.1 | 35.4 | 85.8 | 0.4 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 0.4 | 24.3 |
| 2022-23 | LAKE | 56 | 35 | 45.7 | 37.1 | 87.1 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 23.8 |
| Total | 793 | 34 | 43.7 | 38.1 | 85.0 | 0.9 | 5.5 | 6.4 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 20.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
