Oklahoma City Thunder: Paul George’s MVP case

Playing without a doubt the best basketball of his career, Paul George has asserted himself as a legitimate MVP candidate for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

There is a point in every athlete’s career, whether one of the best in the game or a minimal contributor, where they hit a proverbial ceiling of excellence, which represents the best they will ever be. They can stay at that level as long as they’d like, but their greatness won’t exceed that point.

After eight seasons in the NBA, we thought we had Paul George all figured out. An incredible athlete with chops at both ends of the court, PG had developed from a mid-level lottery pick to a perennial All-Star. He’d average above 20 points per game in four consecutive healthy seasons and was routinely tasked with locking up opposing stars, but when it came time to assert himself among the true best of the best, George fell short.

A mark of an NBA superstar is their ability to serve as their team’s closer in the final moments of close games. There was a point in time where George shot 0-of-14 on potential go-ahead shots in the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime — not quite the mark you’d expect from a truly elite player, with more examples showcasing his lack of what is deemed the clutch gene.

There was the 10-for-28 shooting performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of their 2017 first round playoff battle, including the bricking of a potential game-tying 3-pointer to stave off elimination, if only for another five minutes.

Even just last season, PG-13 managed just five points on 2-of-16 shooting from the field in Game 6 of the first round of the postseason, leading to the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s demise at the hands of the Utah Jazz.

George had risen to fame after leading the Indiana Pacers to consecutive appearances in the conference finals, but once the bar had been raised again soon after, he couldn’t seem to reach it, and thus, his ceiling was set.

Except, a funny thing has happened here in the 2018-19 season. At 28 years old, rather than accept his All-Star level ceiling, PG busted right through it. That’s led to his best season far, with the second-highest points per game average in the NBA at 28.7 — his highest ever — and career-best marks in rebounds, assists and steals as well.

Whereas Russell Westbrook has been the face of the Thunder for the longest of times, it’s been George who’s been the go-to guy for OKC this season, scoring in bunches without sacrificing an ounce of energy on the defensive end, leading the league in steals and loose balls recovered while placing second in deflections.

In past years, PG would flounder in the biggest games and moments. But this season, he’s going right at his All-Star contemporaries with some of his best performances, and has even knocked down multiple go-ahead 3-point looks in the closing seconds of tight games.

In the 15 games prior to the All-Star break, George was averaging an astronomical 34.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game on a shooting line of .473/.453/.857. His improvements are unexplainable, but they sure are fun to watch.

His play has led Oklahoma City to a five-game improvement over last season, but even more so, George’s has thrust himself into the conversation for what looked to be a two-man race for the MVP award between Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, who both have compelling cases of their own to take home the ultimate individual prize.

With the Greek Freak, the case is simple. He’s the best player on the team with the best record in the NBA. His numbers are ridiculous and his highlight reel is laughable. However, the rise of the Milwaukee Bucks could also be attributed to the arrival of head coach Mike Budenholzer, who’s implemented an offensive system responsible for the team’s elevated level of play.

Harden, on the other hand, has had to drag the Houston Rockets back to playoff contention due to injuries across the roster with the highest scoring season in over 30 years. The Rockets currently sit fifth in the West, largely due to the play of the reigning MVP.

The criticism surrounding Harden, though, is the same as it’s been for years now. His defensive effort comes and goes, and he would never be one to take on the toughest assignment. While it’s certainly improved this season — he ranks No. 1 in total deflections — nobody’s labeling him as a two-way threat.

Then there’s Paul George, nipping at both their heels while at the same time serving as the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. The Thunder are just two games back of the 2-seed in the loaded Western Conference, with their small forward putting up numbers similar to that of Kevin Durant‘s MVP season in 2013-14.

Voters of the MVP trophy love to attach themselves to a player’s story. It’s more fulfilling to invest in a compelling narrative rather than just the per game averages on a stat sheet.

For so long, PG was (justifiably) criticized for what he wasn’t. He wasn’t on the level of a Durant or LeBron James. He didn’t appear capable of being the best player on a championship team.

But in this, the 2018-19 season, he’s done everything in his power to flip that narrative, playing his way onto a spot on the All-NBA First Team. If he continues to produce both individual and team success, why shouldn’t it translate to the league’s MVP?