Lakers: Three reasons why Paul George is not the answer
By Jason Reed
1. He’s shown he cannot be the centerpiece alongside other stars
Is Paul George a great player? Absolutely. Is he an all-star caliber player that is a great addition to any team? Without a doubt. Is he the one guy that a franchise should build their entire organization around? No, he is not. As great as George is, he has the Chris Bosh effect. He is a star in his own right but is a mere role player alongside other superstars.
This has been proven in his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In fact, after examing George’s career the case can be driven home even further. George has taken a backseat on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Strong play of late has increased his statistical output, but his impact has not been huge.
George is averaging the fewest points per game (aside from his injury-shortened season) since the 2012-2013 season. His rebounding is down, his assists are down, his shooting percentage is down. The only real stat that George is improving on is steals — which at 2.4 is the highest of his career.
Prior to his arrival in Oklahoma City Thunder, George could not lead the Pacers to the promise land. Yes, he was their best player and is who got the team into the playoffs, but they never made any real noise. Instead, George was constantly bested by LeBron James.
The Lakers need much more than just one all-star player to return to relevance and compete with the NBA’s elite. While George could be a spoke on the wheel, he is not suited to be the center of the wheel.