![]() ![]() It's not like Little and Robert Covington, the former still at a major experience deficit and the latter lacking viable initial quickness, are ideal primary defenders for an oversized wing of George's caliber, either. McCollum and even Anfernee Simons get stuck defending George. There will inevitably be times during Monday's game when Damian Lillard, C.J. Little, starting for Norman Powell, will probably get the start on George, with Portland switching across four positions as off-ball screens and transition matchups dictate. George, 6'8” with long arms, a high release point and deft handle, can get his shot pretty much whenever he wants against any opponent, but especially the Blazers. As long as Portland plays with the urgency and connectivity it did defensively against the Phoenix Suns, making sustained multiple efforts on a given possession, it should be enough to keep the Clippers' supporting cast from feasting behind the initial point of attack. Improved as he is as a passer and overall playmaker, George still can't consistently pick defenses apart like LeBron James or Luka Doncic when he's drawn two defenders to the ball. ![]() Amping up the aggression to trap George in pick-and-roll action and force the ball out of his hands is dangerous considering how easily the Clippers move the ball with a numbers advantage, but is no doubt the surest avenue toward keeping their singular All-Star in check. LA's commitment to creasing the paint, kicking the ball out and finding open shooters is a recipe for success against a defense that relies on rotations, and George does it much better than any of his teammates. The Blazers' system calls for bigs to meet dribblers at the level of the pick, corralling the ball before scurrying back to the paint as their teammates recover. But Portland's new defensive scheme will give George a different look, especially should Billups feel compelled to sell out further to stop him by trapping ball screens. The former problem still exists, at least until Nassir Little proves he's worthy of the designated stopper role Chauncey Billups has afforded him. ![]() George abused the Blazers' conservative defensive scheme in recent years, his jumper unbothered by lackluster primary defense and inconsequential help from big men tethered to the paint. Here are three ways Portland can cool off George on Monday night. LA, obviously, is a different beast with Leonard healthy, but its other superstar wing will pose plenty of problems for the Blazers, too. Even more impressive? He's put up those gaudy numbers despite what the Clippers believe has been a tough whistle from officials, earning just six free throw attempts. Picking up right where he left off from last year's playoffs, George has thrived as the Clippers' alpha dog without Kawhi Leonard over the first two games of the regular season, averaging 35.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists with a scorching 66.7 effective field goal percentage. We’ll likely learn more at season end regarding the shoulder, but in the absence of George saying there’s an issue all we can draw from is what we’re witness to.The Portland Trail Blazers will take on a winless LA Clippers squad at Staples Center on Monday night, but don't blame Paul George. That likely speaks to him playing more aggressive defensively, which again might be an indication the shoulder is better. It was also the only game in the series where George registered a positive point differential (+10). And, of course, there was that dunk at game end. Specifically, in the last game, PG got to the line 17 times. Still, there are some positives to point to. Of course, it’s all relative at this point because we can’t change what is already done. ![]() However, Game 1 was lost by five points so if George was health(ier) he likely draws more fouls on the Blazers, gets to the line more and subsequently scores more. In retrospect, Game 2 was a 20 point beat down so it’s doubtful George could’ve done anything to reverse that outcome.
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