In the aftermath of Game Four of the Western Conference Finals, not a few quarters argued that All-Star Paul George needed to live up to his self-styled “Playoff P” moniker and carry the load for the beleaguered Clippers. Top scorer and defender Kawhi Leonard was still out due to a knee injury, and he had to pick up the slack as a result. And considering his not-so-stellar resume when it comes to performing in the crunch, the prognosis was not good, especially with the Suns up three to one and playing Game Five hosts.
As things turned out, George did show up, and how. He finished the set-to, an emphatic victory for the Clippers, with a career postseason high 41 points (on an extremely efficient 15-of-20 clip from the field), 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. And as he basked in the glow of his emphatic performance, he couldn’t help but use it as an opportunity to declare himself undeserved of the criticism he hitherto faced. Perhaps he was being overly dramatic in his assessment; after all, microscopic scrutiny comes with the territory, and stars shine precisely because they are able to withstand all the pressure and deliver.
Needless to say, expectations get magnified with achievement. With even Paul considering his effort as validation of sorts, nothing but an encore was acceptable. He had to be at least as good in Game Six, and not simply because the Staples Center faithful were going to be on hand. The good news was that he declared himself ready for the challenge. The bad news was that he could not rise to it as promised. When the battlesmoke cleared, he had no choice but to doff his hat to yet another 41-point effort, but not his own.
Indeed, Paul is again being weighed, measured, and found wanting. That he fought valiantly in a losing cause is not the point. That the all he gave proved inadequate is. Once more, he failed to show that he has ice in his veins. He toiled for 41 minutes, and all he had to produce for his exertions were 21 markers on 15 attempts, nine caroms, and two dimes. His match-worst minus-25 ratings is all naysayers need to trumpet to prove their case.
Make no mistake. George is good. In fact, he’s very, very good. And, really, his remarkable comeback from his freak injury in 2014 should be the only answer he requires to silence those unfairly questioning his resolve. Unfortunately, he cannot but be judged by his accomplishments, and, in this regard, he will have to wait for another opportunity to exorcise the demons that have plagued him throughout his career. As another Paul named Chris shone with the Suns to book a ticket to the Finals, he is left to ruminate on his immediate past body of work for one more long offseason. He is who he is, and Game Six underscored what he isn’t.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
