Why the new NBA generation loves Paul George. Plus, is Steph Curry the last one-team star?

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I’m again!!! Whereas Zach Harper travels the world, I’m filling in, doing one thing I didn’t have on my bingo card for the month.

Who’s Your GOAT?

The brand new technology loves Paul George

I’m giving Paul George his props. Sure, it’s laborious to not have some enjoyable at George’s expense, particularly in a social media world the place he’s supplied loads of fodder for memes about postseason shortcomings.

However I like what George has lately carried out along with his podcast. He’s talking up for earlier generations, not permitting the up-and-coming stars to dismiss what those that paved the best way did. There was a more moderen technology of gamers who see George in a really optimistic mild, bestowing GOAT standing on the nine-time All-Star.

GOAT discussions are private. They’re typically tied to childhood reminiscences, moments or some form of irrational fandom. You may’t inform me Magic Johnson isn’t the GOAT. I do know what Michael Jordan did. I watched Shaq dominate like no different and Kobe be Kobe. However none of that issues to nine-year-old me watching Magic win back-to-back titles.

However I’m additionally a hypocrite. I giggled when Brandon Miller, the second general decide in 2023, declared George was his GOAT. Playoff P, man? Come on? Actually? Not LeBron James? Not Steph Curry? Kevin Durant?

Miller was eight years previous when a then-22-year-old George posterized Chris Anderson through the 2013 playoffs whereas main the Pacers to the convention finals. Miller’s GOAT respect makes a bit extra sense now – my unhealthy, Brandon.

My gripe isn’t about whether or not George is a superb participant. He’s had a Corridor of Fame profession and can seemingly end his profession among the many prime 25 in all-time scoring. The newly signed 76er has six All-NBA alternatives and was a finalist for MVP in 2018-19 (third). However there are ranges to GOAT conversations, and George’s identify isn’t one which comes up in the identical discussions as LeBron, KD or Steph.

However not being GOAT-esque doesn’t imply George isn’t self-aware. He’s utilizing his standing as one of many sport’s most revered gamers to push again in opposition to Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards’ saying Jordan “was the one one that basically had talent” throughout his enjoying days.

That’s, in fact, removed from true. Johnson and Isiah Thomas rebuked the younger Timberwolves star, but it surely’s totally different when an energetic star gives correction. On his podcast, George thought Edwards’ take was “form of disrespectful” and “immature.” Though George’s GOAT standing is proscribed, younger gamers do respect him, so his perspective holds worth. (That’s not the solely type of disrespect he’s spoken on this summer season.)

George additionally cuts via household ties. Kiyan Anthony, one of many nation’s prime highschool gamers, stated earlier this yr that George was his GOAT. After all, Anthony’s dad is a few man named Carmelo Anthony, who presently ranks tenth in all-time NBA scoring. George and Carmelo had been additionally teammates in Oklahoma Metropolis for a time, so I get that too.

George has lengthy been thought-about among the finest within the sport. Somebody who can impression video games on offense and protection.

So, why do many people pause on the notion of inserting him into the GOAT chats? It’s all concerning the postseason. George deeming himself Playoff P. Neither does his 2-of-16 clunker in Sport 6 of the primary spherical in opposition to Utah in 2018, which despatched the Thunder dwelling in six.

The following yr, George had 36 factors in a Sport 5 loss to Portland that despatched the Thunder dwelling within the first spherical once more. However that will get misplaced as a result of George was additionally the defender on Damian Lillard’s 3-pointer from 37 ft that eradicated the Thunder on the buzzer. George was actually good, however Lillard had 50 factors.

And let’s not overlook the LA Clippers blowing a 3-1 lead on Denver within the Bubble in 2020 and George infamously hitting the aspect of the backboard on a shot within the fourth quarter because the Nuggets pulled away in Sport 7.

Generally, the jokes write themselves. George dressed as The place’s Waldo final Halloween, making it too simple for the “The place’s Playoff P?” jokes to fly within the postseason. Whereas the Playoff P nickname turned a punchline, George’s precise sport isn’t.

He’s been one of many sport’s finest gamers during the last decade and overcame a horrible harm when he broke his leg in 2014 whereas enjoying for Staff USA in an exhibition sport. Although his resume pales compared to the GOATs of the sport, it’s good to see George get his flowers and shield the contributions of prior legends.

The Newest From Shams

McClung, Horton-Tucker land offers

A few transactions to pay attention to because the countdown to coaching camp continues:

Mac McClung, the back-to-back NBA All-Star Weekend slam dunk contest champion and the 2024 G League MVP, has agreed to {a partially} assured take care of the Magic, league sources inform me. The 25-year-old guard went to camp with the Magic final season and can once more compete for a roster spot. He averaged a league-leading 25.7 factors per sport en path to that MVP honor.

Talen Horton-Tucker has agreed to {a partially} assured take care of the Bulls, league sources inform me. The 23-year-old Chicago native averaged 10.5 factors per sport the previous two seasons with the Jazz and can have a possibility to make the Bulls’ roster.

Let the Gaming Start

NBA 2K25 approaches

Coaching camps don’t open till Oct. 4, but it surely’s already time for players to begin working towards.

NBA 2K25 turns into obtainable to the general public on Friday. I’m not sure how I’ll combine this in with my School Soccer 25 and Madden 25, but it surely’ll get discovered. Who wants sleep after I’m making an attempt to finish Curry’s run of dominance over the NBA?

Taking part in within the Steph Period is likely one of the new additions to NBA 2K25. It offers you the chance to stop Golden State from successful the 2016-17 NBA title, permitting you to face the Warriors with prime Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Inexperienced. Perhaps the Cavaliers can cease the Warriors this time, relying on how typically you need to restart the problem.

A few of the enjoyable components of the sport are within the particulars. Signature pictures with the Professional Stick add nuance to every participant. Particulars have been added to how gamers dribble and play protection, too.

And, as you create your individual participant and attempt to construct a dynasty, you possibly can climb up the dynasty rankings and try to displace Jordan’s Bulls. Perhaps that is one of the simplest ways to see whether or not Jordan’s 72-win Bulls would beat Curry’s 73-win Warriors.

Enjoyable instances are forward, fellow players!

Solo Celebrity

Can Steph do all of it by himself?

Curry signed a one-year extension final week for $62.6 million. He may have waited till subsequent yr for an extension and secured one other yr of assured cash (this extension retains Curry with Golden State for the following three seasons), however he’s betting on himself and the assumption the Warriors can discover him assist for another championship push.

The trail to including a second star, which appears to be needed in as we speak’s league, isn’t simple. Groups typically have to draft one, however the Warriors haven’t carried out that. Their three lottery picks in recent times — James Wiseman (2020), Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody (latter two each taken in 2021) — haven’t produced a star.

Having Draymond Inexperienced obtainable (wholesome and never suspended) can be a lift to Curry’s probabilities, however seemingly not sufficient to place the Warriors in title rivalry. Andrew Wiggins reverting again to his 2022 kind and among the younger gamers taking leaps may assist, however we’ll see.

However don’t get it twisted. That is about Curry. Him being the famous person of superstars is Golden State’s solely likelihood. By the top of the deal, Curry would’ve spent 18 seasons as a Warrior, which might tie Reggie Miller for the fifth-most by one participant with a single NBA group. May this deal make Curry the final star to spend their profession with one squad?

Free company and participant motion are extra energetic than ever, making it extra spectacular for Curry to have a lot success in a single place. Since being drafted seventh general by Golden State in 2009, Curry has led the Warriors to the NBA’s third-best document (.591 win proportion, first in West), received 4 rings, led six finals appearances, change into the NBA’s first unanimous MVP in 2016 and shattered Ray Allen’s document for 3-pointers.

It stays to be seen whether or not the Warriors could make one other playoff run, not to mention compete for an additional ring earlier than Curry retires, however few fan bases have been extra blessed by a star’s presence than the Warriors with the perfect shooter to ever stay.