Paul George getting comfortable with new Thunder teammates
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Paul George couldn't find a rhythm on offense his first few weeks with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The four-time All-Star struggled to fit in with fellow All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony after he was traded from the Indiana Pacers. He settled for jumpers too often, shot too quickly at times and didn't get to the free throw line as often as usual. As he adjusted, the Thunder started the season with a 4-7 record.
Once George broke out, the Thunder turned their fortunes. George erupted for 42 points in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers last Friday, then scored 37 points in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. He scored just 13 points in a win over Chicago on Monday, but his shots were higher quality and flowed with the offense better.
The Thunder take a three-game win streak into Friday's game with San Antonio.
"I'm just staying in attack mode, playing downhill, being aggressive when I have the ball, being aggressive off the ball," George said.
George leads the Thunder with 21.9 points per game. It's quite a feat to be the top scorer on a team with Westbrook, a two-time scoring champion and the reigning league MVP, and Anthony, the No. 24 scorer in NBA history. But George has that kind of talent, and he gets to play off the other two stars.
"It's hard because they have so many options," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "A lot of times you have the one-two option, but they have the one-two-three option. It's tough."
George said during the preseason that he was adjusting to how fast Westbrook moves in transition. Now, he's in better position to attack because he is prepared. That has led to easy baskets and more free throws. He has shot 26 free throws the past three games after shooting just 27 in the previous 11 games.
"I think just trying to get out ahead of him as much as possible, I think, is key," George said. "That way, when he's making plays in full court, I'm already in position ready to receive the ball instead of catching up, getting my feet ready, trying to decide what to do. I'm ready to shoot or attack at that point."
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said George is starting to figure out how to use his shot selection to keep defenses guessing.
"I think he's just been balanced," Donovan said. "He's an elite scorer. He can do it a lot of different ways. He's done it off the dribble, he's done it off of catch and shoot, he's done it off the drive. I think it's just his balance of getting more comfortable with what we're doing offensively and trying to figure out spots where he can be aggressive."
Donovan said the best part of George's performances against the Clippers and Mavericks was his efficiency -- he only took 22 shots in each contest.
Even when George doesn't shoot well, he's effective as both an on-ball and off-ball defender. He leads the league with 2.4 steals per game.
"Honestly, defense is the part that I lock in at," George said. "Offensively it is going to come, defensively is where I like to leave a mark and really try to be special on that end. It's just sticking to the game plan personally in matchups, sticking to the gifts that God has given me."
