Paul George, the OKC Thunder striker, was rewarded with a first all-defensive team – did he deserve this honor?



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Forward OKC Thunder, Paul George, can add a selection of the first NBA All-Defense team to his already impressive resume. Did PG deserve honor?

Paul George has put together a wonderful 2018-19 campaign for OKC Thunder. He was named star player. For the third time in his career, he recently won a place in the MVP finalists and defensive player of the year.

Now, PG can add the honors of the first team of the NBA All-Defense to its growing list of achievements. This milestone marks George's fourth victory in the All-Defense category. This is the second time that PG has been elected first All-Defense team.

PG has been very good for the Thunder for more than half of the season. In the first 57 games, George scored 28.9 points per game, 45.5% of the attendance and 40.5% against three. On the defensive side of the spectrum, PG had a defensive rating of 102.3. Let's see how the opponents in charge of PG 13 behaved:

  • The opponents point out the turnovers: 11.4
  • 2nd chance points of the opponents: 9.0
  • Fast breaking points of the opponents: 8.9
  • Opposing points in the painting: 36.4

George recorded 2.3 flights per game, achieving a 28.4% flight percentage and a 12.1% blocking percentage.

2018-19 NBA, all defensive:

First team: Rudy Gobert, Paul George, Antetokounmpo Giannis, Marcus Smart, Eric Bledsoe.

Second Team: Jrue Holiday, Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard.

– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 22, 2019

MP after February 22

On February 22, the Thunder played its first game of the All-Star hiatus. OKC has compiled a double-extension clbadic against Utah Jazz. In the competition, George played 50 minutes. After this evening, its number has generally decreased:

  • More than Thunderous Intentions

    Defensive note: 106.5

  • Stolen: 2.1
  • Percentage of theft: 37.3
  • Percentage of blockage: 9.4
  • The opponents point out the turnovers: 12.4
  • 2nd chance points of the opponents: 8.4
  • Fast breaking points of the opponents: 7.9
  • Opposing points in the painting: 34.4
  • Points: 25.5
  • Percentage of goal in the field: 38.9
  • Percentage in 3 points: 33.3

Aside from offensive numbers, the most striking difference is the defensive note of PG; from 102 to 106. However, there is a valid reason; not an excuse for George's regression, his left and right shoulders were hurt. Maybe if George stays healthy, or at least healthier, the fate of the Oklahoma City playoffs could have ended differently.

Complete list of the first and second defense teams:

First team

  • Center: Rudy Gobert
  • On the way: Paul George
  • On the way: Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Guard: Marcus Smart
  • Keep: Eric Bledsoe

Stupid Gmail cut the "also receiving votes" list, so my previous post left a group, including Myles Turner, for whom I voted for the 2nd team and whose omission displeased many fans. Complete also the list received here: pic.twitter.com/i7kbeKgQSJ

– Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) May 22, 2019

Second team

  • Guard: Jrue Holiday
  • Guard: Klay Thompson
  • Center: Joel Embiid
  • Forward: Draymond Green
  • Forward: Kawhi Leonard

These teams are always difficult to select. Due to his late year delay, Leonard could have doubled PG for first place. Using the same calendar, as of February 23, Kawhi had better defensive stats than George in the majority of the defensive categories.

That said, George has done more than enough to win his place, whether he has qualified for the first or second team. In fact, PG got the second highest number of votes behind the Stifle Tower.

Following: Paul George Named Finalist in Two NBA Awards Categories

In conclusion; although the season ends on a bitter note. George has yet recorded a campaign for the ages. He can completely recover from his surgeries and build on his success of 2018-19; Maybe he and Russell Westbrook will finally be able to extend OKC's season until May.

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