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Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

I am interested in hearing the responses from a largely pro-pacers crowd here, but where does George rank in the NBA, not in terms of 5th best player or anything like that, but in terms of his tier so to speak. Does he belong in the tier with LeBron and KD, or one tier below with Carmelo, Steph Curry etc., is he still not a full fledged superstar in some people's minds? I am just interested in hearing the results from a pro-pacers crowd. IMO, George is on the LeBron/KD level, I know, I know, its only been 18 games, but he is scoring 25 ppg on about 48% shooting, on top of being maybe the best perimeter defender in the NBA, I think that is deserving of the highest tier of superstardom in the NBA imo.

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

It goes:
LeBron

KD
Paul
Everyone else, IMHO.

Call me a homer, or whatever, but you'd be pretty hard pressed to find another player that's capable of putting up 40pts offensively, while holding a pretty good player in Nic Batum to 8pts, who's not named LeBron. I don't think there is another player out there that's capable of 20+ scoring while checking the othe teams best wing player, besides those two. (PG and LeBron)

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

Why is KD better? Bigger track record? Does he okay Paul's level of defense? Does he have big rebounding games like Paul? The steals? I have no idea, so I'm asking.

KD puts up pretty good rebounding numbers. I want to say anywhere between 7-12 a night (That's what I've consistently seen him get when watching). He is also a better pure scorer; he puts in some crazy shots pretty consistently. KD doesn't ever "blow up", so to speak, big scoring numbers are just another day at the office.

However, KD cannot touch Paul's defensive prowess. You put PG on other guys to shut them down. You try to hide Durant so he doesn't get beat off the dribble too much.

As always, this is just my opinion, but I have finally reached the point where I prefer PG over KD. I've always loved Paul, but he is only scratching the surface and having these types of performances. KD is KD at this point.

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Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

He is right there on the same level as KD. Sure KD has been at the level a lot longer than PG, but right now for the 2013-14 season he is at that level, and all signs point to him staying at that level for a long, long time.

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

I don't see the big love with Curry. (the player not the food) He's a very good player but not on the same level as any of the players talked about here. I don't even know if he's a top 10 player to me, way too injury prone and not a good defender.

"It's just unfortunate that we've been penalized so much this year and nothing has happened to the Pistons, the Palace or the city of Detroit," he said. "It's almost like it's always our fault. The league knows it. They should be ashamed of themselves to let the security be as lax as it is around here."

The poster "pacertom" since this forum began (and before!). I changed my name here to "Slick Pinkham" in honor of the imaginary player That Bobby "Slick" Leonard picked late in the 1971 ABA draft (true story!).
I'm (maybe) back after being repetedly banned, merely for supporting a different NFL team than do certain forum moderators.

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Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

Nicolas Batum on guarding Paul George:

“I remember one guy I tried to guard so much, make him work and he had 30 on me and that was T-Mac.I felt like I did everything I wanted to do on defense and T-Mac scored anyway. Paul George did that tonight. He did a great job. I tried to be all over him, tried to stop him and make him work. He made some tough shots. You have to give him credit. He’s an MVP player.”

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

KD puts up pretty good rebounding numbers. I want to say anywhere between 7-12 a night (That's what I've consistently seen him get when watching). He is also a better pure scorer; he puts in some crazy shots pretty consistently. KD doesn't ever "blow up", so to speak, big scoring numbers are just another day at the office.

However, KD cannot touch Paul's defensive prowess. You put PG on other guys to shut them down. You try to hide Durant so he doesn't get beat off the dribble too much.

As always, this is just my opinion, but I have finally reached the point where I prefer PG over KD. I've always loved Paul, but he is only scratching the surface and having these types of performances. KD is KD at this point.

I think they're pretty equal. They're both good all around, but Durant is on another level offensively while Paul is elite defensively. Good offense will always create a better reputation.

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

I've said this before but I believe he's the 2nd best player behind LeBron right now. KD is the best scorer and shooter in the league right now, no question about it, and he's better even than LeBron at that. But what makes LeBron and PG better is that they are the best at both ends of the floor. Not necessarily with the defensive stats like rebounds, steals or blocks, but both can contain or shutdown the best perimeter guys on the opposing team. That's why the Pacers nor the Heat needed a defensive specialist on their starting 5.

LeBron like many of you have said is on another higher tier as compared to the 2nd best guy. So maybe in a categorical sense LeBron is on the 1st tier, followed by PG and KD, and probably CP3 on the 2nd tier.

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

Playing the Heat after this road trip will be somewhat revealing about PG's progress. From an officiating standpoint it might reveal how significant a star / superstar that the league considers Paul to be, too.

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

Why is KD better? Bigger track record? Does he okay Paul's level of defense? Does he have big rebounding games like Paul? The steals? I have no idea, so I'm asking.

Why I personally am hesitant to put him with KD is simply time. KD has been playing at this level for awhile. By the end of the season, if Paul keeps it up, I will have no problem with saying PG is right there with him.

And I think PG can get closer to LeBron than KD can. PG is such a good two way player. KD isn't.

Re: Where does Paul George belong in the NBA ranks?

Why is KD better? Bigger track record? Does he okay Paul's level of defense? Does he have big rebounding games like Paul? The steals? I have no idea, so I'm asking.

He is a better playmaker the past few years and yes his rebounding is very solid. They aren't that different of players really. KD came into the league as a shooter /scorer now he is a complete playmaker as well.

28, 8 and 5 speaks for itself, but he is just so hard to guard. I think Paul puts up simlar #s in a few years though, but right now it is still KD.

He is a better playmaker the past few years and yes his rebounding is very solid. They aren't that different of players really. KD came into the league as a shooter /scorer now he is a complete playmaker as well.

28, 8 and 5 speaks for itself, but he is just so hard to guard. I think Paul puts up simlar #s in a few years though, but right now it is still KD.

Theses are both true, but Paul is on a completely different level on defense. KD is obviously better on the other end.