Patrick Beverley has never been shy about stirring debate, and his latest comments are no exception. On his podcast, the veteran guard claimed the Golden State Warriors might have won more championships if they had Paul George in Klay Thompson’s role.
“If you put Paul George in that role as Klay Thompson, you know, playing with Steph, Draymond Green, Iguodala at a point, obviously we know Paul George. But we know Paul George was, you know, a couple years ago, he was in the MVP race.”
“If you substitute them two, right, I think, and we don’t know, but we’re just going off what we think in basketball, I think that Golden State probably wins more championships.”
At his best, George was undeniably one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. A nine-time All-Star, he finished third in MVP voting in 2019 after averaging 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also has six All-NBA selections, along with four All-Defensive honors, and is one of the smoothest shot-creators of his generation.
From a pure talent standpoint, Beverley isn’t wrong: George brings more on-ball creation than Thompson ever has. He can generate his own shot, playmake for teammates, and still knock down threes at a high clip. In theory, plugging that skill set next to Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala would give Golden State an even more dangerous offensive attack while maintaining elite perimeter defense.
Thompson may not have George’s MVP-caliber resume, but he was the perfect fit for the Warriors’ system. A five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA guard, Thompson’s shooting and off-ball movement unlocked the Warriors’ motion offense in ways few players in history could replicate.
He wasn’t just a floor-spacer; he was an all-time great shooter who could catch fire and swing playoff games on his own. His 37-point quarter in 2015, his 11 threes in Game 6 against Oklahoma City in 2016, and countless other playoff explosions are etched in NBA lore.
Thompson was also an excellent perimeter defender before injuries slowed him down, guarding multiple positions and allowing Curry to conserve energy on defense.
Most importantly, Thompson’s willingness to embrace a secondary role allowed the Warriors’ ecosystem to thrive. Unlike George, who has always been a high-usage scorer, Klay didn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. That sacrifice, paired with Curry’s unselfishness and Draymond’s playmaking, was the secret sauce that made Golden State nearly unbeatable.
It’s also worth noting that both George and Thompson have had major health setbacks. Thompson missed two full seasons with ACL and Achilles injuries, while George has endured his own share of surgeries and missed time. Swapping one for the other doesn’t guarantee more durability.
Beverley’s take highlights the eternal “talent vs. fit” debate. Yes, Paul George at his best was the more complete player. But Klay Thompson’s skill set, mentality, and chemistry with Curry and Draymond Green were tailor-made for Golden State’s dynasty.
Without him, it’s hard to imagine the Warriors’ four championships from 2015 to 2022 playing out the same way.
