” Kawhi is number one and that’s totally fine with me. I try to be complementary, to relieve it. We talk about Kawhi and I as an equal duo, an 1A and 1B, but I say it publicly: I am number 2. So there is no debate, no ego in this matter . »
That’s what he said Paul George last October 10. Words that Tyronn Lue did not necessarily share, and he asked his player to behave like a number 1. He feared that his winger was playing with the handbrake. The person concerned replied to him that night.
Leonard spared, George behaved like a “franchise player” with 40 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. All with leadership and composure in the last moments of victory in Sacramento (111-109).
Paul George adapts
“I had a discussion with him” Lu confirms. “He’s a great player, and he has to be aggressive and do what he knows how to do. We cannot stay behind. You have to be aggressive. »
Stung, George answered him on the ground. His talent is intact, whether he is number 1 or number 2. “I know I can be the first option. I am well aware of my qualities, and I have a lot of confidence in my qualities. he explained after his performance. “Our discussion was easy. Personally, I pride myself on being the do-it-all guy. I love being the “glue guy” and will do whatever the team or the game demands. »
Basically, George adapts. He’s a chameleon, and when Kawhi Leonard regains his place as starter, and leader of the team, he will adapt. But for now, the Clippers need him to be the offensive leader.
“I don’t think he has to change roles” assures his coach. “He has to be aggressive. I don’t think it’s 1 and 2, but 1 and 1. Both players have to perform at a high level to win, and on both sides of the pitch. »
“I know I’m capable of being the number 1 option every night”
For Paul George, the idea of talking about number 1 and number 2 was ultimately a simple way to avoid unnecessary debates about his relationship with Kawhi Leonard.
“I didn’t want people this year to say this or that – if I’m number 2, I’m fine with being number 2. But I know what I’m capable of. I know I’m capable of being number 1 option every night and number 1 option on possessions. It means nothing to me, whether it’s number 2 or number 1, or number 1A or 1B. I’m going to do my job no matter what.”
| 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 | 1 | 36 | 33.3 | 28.6 | 83.3 | 1.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 15.0 |
| Total | 738 | 34 | 43.5 | 38.2 | 84.8 | 0.9 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 20.4 | |
