After a rough 2019-20 campaign, Paul George came into the playoffs this year with a chip on his shoulder and a whole lot to prove.
Through the first two rounds, he was exactly what his team needed him to be, and he was quickly regaining the trust and favor of the NBA community.
Unfortunately for PG, the Conference Finals haven’t been as prosperous.
After losing Game 1 to a Suns team without CP3, Paul George and the Clippers came into Game 2 with hopes of evening the series at 1 apiece.
Instead, George’s missed free throws in the clutch (he went 0-2 from the line with 8.2 seconds left) allowed the Suns to walk away with a one-point victory.
Paul George misses two FTs in the clutch 😬 https://t.co/MlBWWWG6r0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 23, 2021
Needless to say, it was a pretty rough night for PG, who got absolutely blasted on Twitter.
all that redemption equity Paul George had built this playoffs…….
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/Lukesimpson___/status/1407551893522501635
Paul George at the freethrow line in the clutch: pic.twitter.com/VshKJDKHSu
— Loul Embaye (@Loul_Embaye) June 23, 2021
The Twitter community getting ready to roast Paul George pic.twitter.com/yZ8scVY5DS
— OT DUBS (@ot_dubs) June 23, 2021
Paul George after blowing 2 free throws that cost his team the game. pic.twitter.com/rHwU7QKFbQ
— Savage Buie (@SavageMode731) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/jah_318/status/1407551851969527809
Khawi after watching Paul George missed both free throws pic.twitter.com/WZ0XzNj2Uh
— ROCK BOYZ ™️🔥🎸 (@AnalystBoyz) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/nbamemesinsta/status/1407553148923744263https://twitter.com/MKGRDC/status/1407554041412870145
Paul George waking up tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/O291dPulfW
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/fuckeaurgameis1/status/1407551983729483777https://twitter.com/Tatums_Bacon/status/1407553652198416384
Everyone reacting to Paul George miss both free throws 🤣 : https://t.co/ILZJwkfI6w
— CarlosStory (@CarlosxcStory) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/3Shonn/status/1407552293898276865
A pretty rough night for Paul George. The dude better hopes for a better outcome in Game 3, or it could get even worse.
On a bit of a serious note, though, PG deserves credit for keeping his team in the game, even if he couldn’t deliver in the end. Without him, and his performance over the past few games, it’s unlikely the Clippers would even still be in the bracket right now.
So, while the Clippers head home after a brutal and devastating loss, it is not yet time to panic. The team has been in this exact position before. The question is, can they rally back from down 0-2 for the third time in these playoffs?
