Paul George is Having a Career Year, Could He Be An MVP Candidate?

In his second year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul George is playing the best basketball of his career. After losing in six games to the Utah Jazz in the first round last season, questions arose about how George and Russell Westbrook would mesh as a duo. That offseason, George signed a four-year, $137 million contract with OKC. Despite skepticism, George has elevated his game to a near MVP level this season.

With the season past the halfway mark, George is averaging career highs. With 26.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and four assists per game to accompany Westbrook’s triple-double average, OKC is playing great basketball. While they began the season on a bad note, the Thunder currently sit at third place in the Western Conference. Paul George has been a huge part of that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV7lN-g50_A

George credits his success this year with the Thunder to his experience in the league. George told Sekou Smith of NBA.com that his game has been elevated this year.

“And at this point in my career, I’ve seen every defense you can see. There’s nothing you can throw at me that I haven’t already seen, mentally or physically,” George said. “And defensively I know every angle. I mean … I do my homework.”

George is arguably the best player on one of the best teams in the league. This year, George deserves a mention in the MVP conversation. Does this standout year mean he could actually win it?

MVP Chances?

Currently, James Harden would have to be the frontrunner to win the MVP award this season, giving him back-to-back awards. In the absence of point guard Chris Paul, Harden has been putting up unbelievable numbers.

Paul George mid-game. Photo credited to Getty Images.

Other candidates for MVP include Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and even Joel Embiid, all of whom are putting up career highs. George fits into this category; while not a frontrunner, he is among the players who have noticeably stepped their games up during the 2018-2019 season so far.

If George and the Thunder can keep the success going this season, he will surely be in the MVP discussion. George deserves recognition for his performance thus far. He will also likely be an All-Star this year, making his sixth appearance. Despite George’s season, it seems like the award is Harden’s to lose at this point. Nobody is playing close to his level offensively.

The real question for Westbrook and George is if they can translate regular season success into the postseason. The duo, along with the rest of the Thunder, no doubt have a bad taste in their mouth after last season’s early exit. Perhaps the departure of Carmelo Anthony, who had an abysmal performance in the playoffs with OKC, will prove to be addition by subtraction.

However far the Thunder get this postseason, Paul George’s improved game will be a huge factor. George has been impressive on both ends of the floor. Look for late-game management between he and Westbrook to be the determining factor in how far OKC can go this season.

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