If you ask most NBA fans, Kawhi Leonard is easily one of the best players in the game, and clearly better than his teammate Paul George.
But according to ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins, PG’s recent playoff performance has put him in the same level as “the Klaw.”
Here’s what he said on First Take:
"Kawhi and Paul George right now are in the same category [of superstar]."
—@KendrickPerkins 😲 pic.twitter.com/IetLfuksUd
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 29, 2021
Paul George doesn’t have the best history of performing in the postseason — so much so that he became the laughing stock of the NBA community.
But during these playoffs, George has been nothing short of great, averaging 27.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 18 games.
It is his play that has elevated the franchise to their first-ever Conference Finals, and that has them in a position to make an NBA Finals berth with just two more wins.
Still, it’s a hot take by Perkins to liken PG to Kawhi. Leonard is a 2x NBA Champion, after all, who is widely regarded as one of the most elite two-way wigs in NBA history.
For PG to prove he belongs in that same category, he’s going to have to prove he lead the Clippers to the Finals on his own (sans Kawhi). Obviously, that task is much easier said than done.
