Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. We are now in the Conference Finals!
Paul George went ballistic as the Clippers forced a Game 6 against the Phoenix Suns.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Gonzales/Getty Images.)
As it has been all postseason long, the Clippers just keep surviving. And really, if someone’s narrative has to be changed this postseason, it’s Paul George‘s.
The guy has just been doing it all for the Clippers. He saved them once again in Game 5 when he went for 41-13-6. He and Reggie Jackson (in his own unlikely way) had an answer every time the Phoenix Suns had a rally. But George has been the catalyst for the team.
George has scored 20 or more points in every single postseason game this year so far (that is 18 of them). His averages are 27.2 points, 9.7 boards, and 5.6 assists. Because of that narrative that George doesn’t come through in the playoffs (which, in fact, he has plenty of times), some people think he’s hot garbage when he’s been the total opposite of that. Sure, he’s had his moments where he clanked two foul shots in Game 2. But every star has had that happen to them.
A few friends have made the observation that Paul George plays better as the #1 option. And we’re not saying they wouldn’t be farther if Kawhi Leonard is healthy. But you can clearly see that he’s in the forefront when he knows it all falls on him (which, unfortunately, goes against that narrative, right?). I mean, if you told me that a team led by Paul George, Reggie Jackson, and Marcus Morris would make the conference finals in the WEST, I would’ve told you that it’s absurd. Tyronn Lue absolutely should get his share of the credit for keeping the Clippers in the postseason like this.
Either way, I don’t have to tell you that Game 6 is important. But if the Clippers win it, it’s anything-goes for Game 7. We’ve already seen two teams lose a Game 7 at home in this postseason. The Phoenix Suns better wake up quick. Especially Chris Paul, who has not played up to his standards in this series.
Imagine the Clippers preventing Chris Paul from making his first NBA Finals. That is some thick irony right there.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 28, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#3 Bucks lead #5 Hawks, 2-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #1 Sixers, 4-3.
#3 Bucks defeat #2 Nets, 4-3.
#1 Sixers defeat #8 Wizards, 4-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #4 Knicks, 4-1.
#2 Nets defeat #7 Celtics, 4-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#2 Suns lead #4 Clippers, 3-2.
#4 Clippers defeat #1 Jazz, 4-2.
#2 Suns defeat #3 Nuggets, 4-0.
#1 Jazz defeat #8 Grizzlies, 4-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #5 Mavericks, 4-3.
#2 Suns defeat #7 Lakers, 4-2.
#3 Nuggets defeat #6 Blazers, 4-2.
Watch This Play
And here’s George giving Chris Paul a seat.
Paul George stops on a dime and buries the triple!#NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/M140IkPz73
— NBA (@NBA) June 29, 2021
Let’s see what happens in the East on Tuesday!
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.