You’ve probably seen it by now.
You either saw a clip or read the quotes through a graphic. As loud as Paul George was in Game 5 to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a gritty 116-102 victory over the Phoenix Suns, his teammate DeMarcus Cousins’ postgame words were just as loud.
"I don't know where this trolling bulls--- has come from where the internet controls the narratives about these players. It's becoming foolish, man,” Cousins said in earnest about George. "Like I said earlier in the year, that's one of the most special players to ever lace his shoes up.
"Give this dude his flowers, man. I don't understand the slander. It's becoming quite silly now. Respect these players, man. Respect these greats.”
George rightfully earned every bit of those strong sentiments as he poured in one of his best, if not his best, playoff performances. Facing elimination and without star Kawhi Leonard, George erupted for a playoff career-high 41 points on a pristine 15-for-20 shooting clip, while providing an all-around effort of 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 41 minutes.
George put his team on his back and carried them to at least one more game — one more chance to prove their resiliency in the postseason.
Critics and fans alike may have had a lot to say over the course of George’s career. From his rise to stardom with the Indiana Pacers to his brief stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder to his current team LA Clippers, his journey has been nitpicked and dissected. Stars like George are either put on a pedestal for their greatness or at the stake for falling short. Whether or not those criticisms have been fair is subjective.
What really matters, however, is not only the wins but how much impact you have on your team. One of the hallmarks of a true leader is how your teammates respond to you. And Cousins’ powerful words mean that George is doing a hell of a job with the Clippers.
Before being riddled with injuries, Cousins was a star in his own right with the Sacramento Kings. He was a walking double-double who commanded respect by what he did on the court and what he had to say off the court. He has garnered a reputation for being brash, unapologetic, and brutally honest. He always tells it like it is throughout his career.
So for Cousins to stand up for his teammate is an in-your-face testament that George is carrying that superstar mantle better than most people realize. And for good measure, Cousins took the cue from George. Without Ivica Zubac who was out because of a sprained MCL, Cousins stepped up big time. In 11 minutes off the bench, he scored 15 points and provided the Clippers a much-needed boost.
And it obviously wasn’t just Cousins who became instrumental in the win-or-home Game 5. Marcus Morris Sr. contributed 22 points while Reggie Jackson continued his breakout postseason with a 23-point outburst. Everyone followed George’s performance.
The Clippers are now down to eight players in the rotation against the Suns. It’s George, Cousins, Morris, Jackson, Terance Mann, Patrick Beverley, Nicolas Batum, and Luke Kennard. They are banged up and exhausted like every other team that’s left in the playoffs. But given what they’ve shown through three series, you should not count them out just yet.
For George, he doesn’t need to appease the critics. He doesn’t need to have another strong game to prove the doubters wrong. He doesn’t need a 40-point performance to shut up the haters.
All George needs to do is lead his team. To be the guy that can will this 8-man crew to a place where no other team in Clippers franchise history has gone before. And for all it’s worth, his teammates have his back too.
--
