I don’t know if there is anything that bugs me as much as Russell Westbrook haters do. However, people who think that Victor Oladipo is a better player than Paul George are a very close second. What separates Paul George from the above average NBA player is his unique combination of size and skill. In addition to that, he is one of the few players who plays hard on the defensive end. Paul George’s criticism has been aligned with the performance of the teams he has been on. He’s healthy and the Thunder are looking great. Perhaps, this could be the year George takes that next step forward. As of right now, Paul George is having the best statistical season of his career.

Paul George is averaging the most points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals of his entire career:

Paul George is averaging 24.3 PTS, 7.9 REB, 4.4 AST, .7 BLK, 2.4 STL, .415 FG%, .824 FT%. As you can see in the chart below, his best individual statistical categories had been scattered among several different seasons, until this season.

Best points per game season prior to this season? ’17. Best rebounds per game season prior to this season? ’13. You get the point. As you can see, George has somehow managed to improve in each of these categories this year. After starting 0-4, George has lead the Thunder to eleven wins in thirteen games. With Westbrook being in and out of the lineup due to injuries, the Thunder have been asking George to do a lot more. He has increased his shots per game attempts and has been been playing more of a point forward for the Thunder. What’s more impressive, is that he is doing all that while remaining one of the best defensive players in the NBA.

Paul George made my list of top 10 players thus far this season yesterday. It has taken the Thunder a year to gel. George isn’t just performing well, he looks comfortable. Do you guys think that George and the Thunder can take the step forward this year that they failed to do last season? Let me know what your thoughts are @TPRx11.

Oh, and by the way, I do plan on elaborating on my George vs Oladipo stance in the near future.