Paul George has been a stellar player since he was drafted in 2010. He emerged as a superstar for the Indiana Pacers, and he has moved across different teams where he has showcased his star power with his well-rounded skill set.
That skill set appeals to older basketball fans because George is the perfect plug-and-play player for any team. It is why he has been a hot commodity throughout his career, with the latest move being his decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
One of the older NBA icons who showed PG some love is five-time champion and former Defensive Player of the Year Michael Cooper .
“I love the way he plays and how he gives it his all. He gives true, 100-percent effort on defense,” Coop said to HoopsHype in 2019. “The NBA is all about offense, but there are certain players who are too concerned with their offense, and they take reps off. Paul George comes to play and shows up on both ends of the floor.”
George has the optimal skill set for a wing player
At 6’8”, PG has the right height for a swingman. He could play either shooting guard or small forward, but he could also deputize as a small-ball power forward. His skill set shows that Paul has a superb skill set that fits the modern way of playing basketball with three-point shooting, isolation ability, and defense.
The last part is what Cooper loved the most about PG because he took on a huge responsibility as an offensive star, but he also defended to the highest level. That takes a lot of energy because playing defense is taxing on the body, which limits the offensive ability.
Cooper knew that because he was more of a defensive specialist during his career, as he deferred to Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Seeing George thrive on both ends impressed people, including Coop, who knows how hard it is to be an elite defender.
Related: "Young fella, you alright. Go sit back down. You good" - Jayson Tatum shares what Michael Jordan told him after a wine accident
Any team would love to have PG
Regardless of his reputation among NBA fans, Paul is respected by his peers and former players, such as the Lakers icon. George's skill set makes him invaluable to any team, and he is considered one of the most complete wing players in modern NBA history.
He fits in well with any team because he could be the star in any game but also play a lesser role from game to game. It is a magnificent skill set because any team would find it fun with that kind of talent on their team.
While he is getting older, he still has a lot of gas left in the tank. He is still a standout player who could contribute across different facets of the game. PG is ready to embrace his role with the 76ers, and Coop would likely still be a fan of his game.
Related: "Go get your bag, P" – PG shares Kawhi understood his decision to go to the Philadelphia 76ers
Most Popular
Comments / 0