Player rankings are a favorite offseason activity in the NBA community. As the offseason rolls forward, now feels like the perfect time to unveil a top 25 player rankings. Kicking off our top 25 is the veteran Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George. At 33, George still plays at an All-Star level and has a solid all-around impact.
Top 25 NBA Players 2023-24: No. 25 – Paul George
Paul George’s Biggest Strength: A Two-Way Star
George has been considered a consensus top-15 player for years while being one of the league’s best second options and a two-way star. With age and injuries, George has taken a step back, but he is still playing at an extremely high level. George is a smooth operator and a gifted three-level scorer.
George’s shot creation, shooting, and finishing, combined with solid playmaking skills, make him an all-around offensive threat. Defensively, he is still an elite and versatile wing. George’s athleticism, size, and IQ allow him to shut down the league’s best. The defensive upside of George and Kawhi Leonard is one of the top reasons why people still believe in this Clippers squad.
Season Recap
Last year was a tumultuous season for George and the Clippers. With Leonard returning from injury, the Clippers had expectations of contending for a title. Leonard and George took the regular season cautiously, continuing to sit out games due to injury and load management. This resulted in George playing 56 games and Leonard appearing in 52.
The two stars led the Clippers to 44 wins, which was good for the fifth seed in the West. A knee injury in March kept George sidelined for the playoffs. Leonard would go down with a knee injury of his own and missed the final three games of the first round. It was a series in which the Clippers lost to the Phoenix Suns in five games.
Season Outlook
The Clippers’ upcoming season has a wide range of outcomes and heavily depends on health. Los Angeles’ star duo has undoubtedly been a disappointment. Injuries have riddled the past four seasons, and the team has only reached the conference finals once. This is a make-or-break year for both George and the Clippers. Health is paramount to their success this year, and changing their approach to the regular season is a strong possibility. If George can stay healthy for the whole season and continue playing at a high level on both ends of the floor, the Clippers could be contenders.
In addition to staying healthy, George needs to improve his offensive consistency. Despite being extremely talented, he has been a volatile scorer, especially in the playoffs, throughout his career. A deep playoff run combined with a healthy season would prove this can be a winning duo. This would change many people’s perceptions about George and the Clippers. However, another injury-riddled season and disappointment is just as real of a possibility. If the Clippers end up disappointing again, it could result in trading George and rebuilding.
The Last Word
Ultimately, George’s injury history and age make him extremely difficult to rank. Based on how this season goes, he could either climb the rankings or fall off the list entirely. George’s talent, history of stardom, and two-way ability are enough to keep him on this list for now. However, George has to prove himself this year and continue producing at an elite level while remaining healthy for an entire year.
