LA Clippers: A Finals victory would change Paul George’s career

Paul George is one of the best players to never win a ring in the NBA today. He has a chance with the LA Clippers when the NBA restarts in July.

While there is some uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s re-start, all signs point to the league getting back in gear in Orlando at the end of July. The LA Clippers are looking for their first title and for many of the players like Paul George, it will be their first ring.

George has been through it all.

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

He has been through deep playoff runs, gruesome career-altering injuries and has been an MVP candidate. All the blood, sweat and tears have not yet led to a Finals victory. During his time with the Indiana Pacers, George built himself into being one of the best players in the league.

He impressed with his ability to take games over and lead the team to wins time and time again. He was never able to get over the hump and into the NBA Finals with LeBron James being on the Miami Heat.

He then went to the Oklahoma City Thunder where he teamed up with Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook. They struggled to move the ball and just putting the ball in the basket was a challenge at times.

When the playoffs came around their problems came back to bite them. After a sequence when they missed six shots on one possession they were booted out of the playoffs after the first round in six games. The Utah Jazz were able to get the upper hand on them even though they were the better team.

The next year was Paul George’s best year as a pro. He averaged 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.2 steals. It was a marvelous two-way performance the whole season and he was an MVP candidate.

The season still ended in a bitter way though. Damian Lillard’s rainbow three ended the Thunder’s season in five games.

As the running mate to Kawhi Leonard, now George has the chance to go deep in the playoffs once again. The past two years he has been booted out of the playoffs in the first round. He has been through deep playoff series time and time again with no ring to show for it in Indiana.

Paul George’s time is now with the LA Clippers

Paul George has had individual success. He almost won the MVP award. He has been an All-Star six times in his 10-year career. He is a five-time All-NBA player and a four-time All-Defensive team player.

George is a superstar. He is one of the greatest two-way players to ever play the game. Winning a ring would change his career. Some will say that he is not the best player on the team. That is true but when Leonard won his first ring he was not the best player on the team. We now look at him as one of the best players in the NBA.

Kevin Durant made sure he was able to win his rings before further solidifying his legacy with the Brooklyn Nets. Durant joined forces with another MVP winner in Stephen Curry to get his first championships. Sometimes all you have to do is win one and then your whole career opens up.

Players that did not win rings are not revered as much as players that have. We look at Michael Jordan as a god because of his six championships. Players like Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley have not won a ring. They are not in the greatest ever conversation because of that.

A championship will help Paul George break the ice in his career. Then he will be able to further solidify his legacy.