Why Sixers Star Forward Should Be Ranked Top-15 Greatest Small Forwards in History
In the sports world, everybody has their favorite player, or their own G.O.A.T. The more popular names in the NBA for it are guys like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or Kobe Bryant. Dominant guys, influential players, or even just downright cool. Everybody has their own favorite player. However, the majority of everybody's favorite players are more likely to be in the Hall of Fame. With that in mind, does this 35-year-old forward have enough to be in the Naismith Hall of Fame?
The player in question is 15-year vet Paul George. In fact, PG-13 is former number two pick Brandon Miller's favorite player, or G.O.A.T. in this case. PG-13 started his career in Indiana as the 10th pick in the 2010 draft. The first pick in the draft was the same class as the recently retired John Wall. George spent his first seven seasons with the Pacers, making the playoffs six times. He led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals twice, in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, and fell to the Miami Heat, which consisted of: King James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. In the 2017 offseason, George was traded to the OKC Thunder to team up with one-time MVP Russell Westbrook for just two seasons. Then he was traded again to the Los Angeles Clippers to form a dynamic duo with two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. PG-13 spent a rough five seasons in California, and only one Western Conference Appearance to show for it. After a first-round exit, there were talks about where George could go. Of course, that’s when PG-13 made the surprising move of signing a multi-year contract with the Sixers.
Now we’re going to get into the fun part. PG-13, over the course of his 15-year career, amassed nine all-star selections. He was on the All-NBA Third Team five times and the All-NBA First Team once. George was a part of the All-Defensive First and Second Team twice. Two on the first team and two on the second team. He’s the 2013 Most Improved Player, 2010-11 All-Rookie Second Team, 2019 Steals Champ, and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist.
Whether fans want to admit it or not, George can easily be named in the top 15 greatest small forwards in NBA history. While the lists can vary with George being top-25 or top-20, there aren’t many that have him as a top-15 small forward. Understandably so, with guys like Adrian Dantley, Alex English, or Dominique Wilkins on the list. It can be argued that George might be better, or even take Dantley and English's spot for a top-15 spot. George has more all-star appearances and more All-NBA selections than the two Hall of Famers. The only thing that separates George from them is that he doesn’t have a scoring title. If we dive deeper, both Dantley and George are Olympic Gold Medalists. While PG-13 isn’t a bona fide scorer like English and Dantley, he has versatility as a two-way player. Aside from that, PG-13 should be given a bit more respect than a top-20 small forward in history.
