OKC Thunder forward Paul George earns All-Defensive First-Team nod – Did he deserve the honor?

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

Paul George put together a marvelous 2018-19 campaign for the OKC Thunder. He was named an All-Star starter; for the third time in his career, he recently earned a finalist spot for both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Now, PG can add the accolade of NBA All-Defense first-team to his growing list of accomplishments. The milestone marks the fourth instance, of George earning All-Defense honors, this is the second time PG has been voted first-team All-Defense.

PG was very good for the Thunder for over half the season. Through the first 57 games, George was scoring 28.9 points per game, on 45.5 percent from the floor, and 40.5 percent from three. On the defensive end of the spectrum, PG possessed a defensive rating of 102.3. Now, let’s take a look at how opponents fared when guarded by PG 13:

• Opponents Points off Turnovers: 11.4
• Opponents 2nd Chance Points: 9.0
• Opponents Fast Break Points: 8.9
• Opponents Points in the Paint: 36.4

George registered 2.3 steals per match, gaining a steal percentage of 28.4, and a block percentage of 12.1 percent.

PG after February 22nd

On February 22, the Thunder played their first game out of the All-Star hiatus, OKC compiled a double-overtime classic versus the Utah Jazz. In the contest, George played 50 minutes, after that night, his numbers mostly declined:

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Defensive Rating: 106.5

Aside from the offensive numbers, the most glaring difference is PG’s defensive rating; spiking from 102 to 106. However, there is a valid reason; not an excuse for George’s regression both his left and right shoulders were injured. Perhaps, if George remains healthy, or at least healthier, Oklahoma City’s playoff fate could have ended differently.

Full List of First and Second Team All-Defense:

First Team

• Center: Rudy Gobert
• Forward: Paul George
• Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Guard: Marcus Smart
• Guard: Eric Bledsoe

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 slippage late in the year, it would have been feasible for Leonard to overtake PG for the first-team spot. Because using the same timeline, from February 23, onward Kawhi possessed better defensive statistics than George in the majority of Defensive categories.

With that said, George did more than enough to earn his spot, regardless if he would have qualified for the first, or second team. In fact, PG secured the second most votes overall behind the Stifle Tower.

In conclusion; although the season ended on a bitter note. George still recorded a campaign for the ages. If he can fully recover from his surgeries and build off of his 2018-19 success; perhaps, he and Russell Westbrook can finally extend OKC’s season into the month of May.