PG 13 VS The Claw

Who’s better PG 13 or The Claw?

Many NBA fans and former players have referred to Kawhi Leonard as one of the top 5 players in the league, especially after he finished 2^nd in MVP voting this season. On the other hand, one could argue that he is not even in the top 3 in his own position. How can the runner-up of the NBA MVP award not be the best player in his own position? LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Paul George all put up better numbers this season in comparison to Kawhi Leonard. Based on his stats this season, he is the 4^th best statistical SF in the league, but yet, he still was 2^nd in the MVP ranks. NBA hall of famer, Charles Barkley, said, “Kawhi Leonard is the best basketball player in the world.” This was a very bold statement about a player who has only been in the league 5 seasons and just averaged 20 Ppg for the first time in his career this season.

         Many people believed that Kawhi Leonard deserved the Runner-up award for MVP this season, meaning he was the 2^nd best player in the league. Nevertheless, many other players in his own positon had better numbers than him, including Paul George. Paul George averaged more points, rebounds, and assists than Leonard. Paul George averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, in comparison to Kawhi Leonard’s 21 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Both players had sensational seasons, which were the best of their careers so far, but Paul George has put up better numbers every year they have been in the league together. Kawhi Leonard plays on a better team, which could explain why he is so praised and is more recognized throughout league. Regardless, the better team doesn’t always correlate to the better individual player.

Kawhi Leonard is a great offensive player, but he is even better on the defensive side of the ball, explaining why he has won back to back defensive MVP awards. The only 2 main statistical categories Kawhi Leonard had better than Paul George were free throw percentage and field goal percentage by 9 percent, but that number could be biased due to the fact Paul George shot over 400 more shots than Leonard. Overall, the Spurs, with a 67-win season, are superior to the Pacers, with only a 45- win season; therefore, George personally had more responsibility to score on the offensive end than Leonard.

The Spurs are more fundamentally sound and team oriented, so Leonard shoots the ball less often. In comparison, Paul George is the main guy on his team, causing his percentages to be a little lower. This debate could go on for several hours, and each side of the discussion could support their opinions with plenty of statistical evidence to prove on who is actually better. How can we determine whose better based on the eye test? Paul George is a 3 time All-Star, 3 time All- NBA third team, and first team all defense, but Kawhi is an NBA champion, finals MVP, and 1 time All- Star. When comparing the past 5 seasons of both players career number are very similar. In order for one player to be considered “better” than the other, the impact that they have to have during every second of every game that they are on the floor must be considered. Despite both players being excellent additions to the NBA and their teams, Paul George is a cut above Kawhi Leonard. Paul George is much more versatile, can play all 5 positions on the court, can score from all 3 levels better than Leonard, and sets up his teammates in better situations to score. Although Leonard is the better defensive player, George still impacts the game on the defensive side of the ball at a very high rate.

Both of these players are great and well deserving of every accolade and accomplishment they have received and will receive in their careers; therefore, time only will tell to see who is better long term and can separate themselves as the best player in the league.