PLAYA VISTA – The LA Clippers will open up their season on Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors. It'll mark Game 1 of what's expected to be tens of games without Kawhi Leonard as the star recovers from offseason ACL surgery. In his stead, big things are expected of Paul George.
Without Leonard, George was able to lead the Clippers to the Western Conference Finals. Injuries and a severe lack of rest over the course of the playoffs eventually caught up to them as they fell short to the Phoenix Suns. Now, there's seemingly more pressure on George to successfully lead the Clippers and keep them afloat if and until Kawhi is able to return.
“Paul George was a great player in Indiana, he was a great player in Oklahoma City, and he’s a great player with the Clippers,” Jeff Van Gundy told ClutchPoints ahead of the season. “I see no reason why they can’t have a terrific year and win big in the regular season and put themselves in position for home-court advantage, top-four seed, in the West even without Kawhi Leonard. And if they get Kawhi Leonard back and he’s able to play well, then they’re a championship-caliber team.
“They can’t win it without a healthy Kawhi, but they can sure do damage, that’s for sure.”
George's approach on the season is just that: to have the Clippers playing well and keep them afloat in an ultra competitive Western Conference with the hopes that their two-time Finals MVP can return down the line. That's exactly what Leonard had to do back in 2019 when the duo first arrived in Los Angeles.
“I guess roles flipped,” George said. “My first year, Kawhi started without me. Last year, we started the year off hot together, and now roles have flipped and I’m starting without him this year so I gained a little bit off of what I saw. He led the team when I was out, kept up competitive, kept us in it, and now it’s essentially my turn to lead the team and keep us afloat, keep us going. Don’t know when his timetable is, but if there is a return, hopefully we’re positioned right where we want to be and we’re a strong team going down the stretch.”
"My personal goal is I want to be great. I want to be great this year. i want to be great for our team and that's all that matters."
Paul George on his goal for this Clippers season. pic.twitter.com/XazfPfMdkb
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 20, 2021
In eight postseason games without Leonard, George put the team on his back, averaging 29.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.4 steals. Head coach Tyronn Lue has mentioned a number of times that the Clippers plan to monitor and play it safe with their veterans as they work themselves into game shape and aim for a healthy playoff run.
“It’s definitely tough,” Lue said before Tuesday's practice. “It’s tough to monitor that especially when you’re trying to win a basketball game and it’s tough when guys are ready to go back in a game you want to play for but sometimes as a coach you have to save those guys from themselves.”
In the meantime, Kawhi Leonard has taken on the role of assistant coach. He's been on the sidelines in games and vocal in practices to keep guys focused. Paul George appreciates having that extra perspective from his co-star.
“It's good having another eye out there. He’s been helping some of the young guys and he’ll chime in when he sees something, so it's been good. It’s been good for me to have another person out there that can see the game differently and just pick his brain on situations.”
“It’s good having another eye out there. He’s been helping some of the young guys & he’ll chime in when he sees something. It’s been good for me to have another person out there that can see the game differently & just pick his brain on situations.”
Paul George on Kawhi Leonard pic.twitter.com/9IUe7il1t7
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 20, 2021
George has competed at the highest level for over a decade now. He's just as excited for Game 1 of his 12th season as he was for Game 1 of his rookie campaign with the Indiana Pacers. As he's matured and developed over the years, the goal remains the same for the seven-time All-Star.
“I want to be great,” said George. “I want to be great this year. I want to be great for our team. That’s all that matters.”
George will have his first chance to be great Thursday night when the Clippers take on the Warriors at 7:30PM PST.
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