Vogel: Paul George Is Best Two-Way Player In NBA

[RealGM Wiretap]

Paul George continued his excellent start to the season with 40 points against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

“It’s tough to quantify in words,” Frank Vogel said. “I mean, he just does so much. He’s capable of going for 40, carrying the offensive load and being the best defensive player on either team. He’s a special player, and the best two-way player in the game. We’re a different team with him out there.”

George is leading the Indiana Pacers in scoring and rebounding, while ranking second in assists.

Via Jorge Castillo/Washington Post

[MakinItRainRed]

Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler say hello

[GaaBaaBoo]

Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler say hello

And soon joins Andrew Wiggins

[Donnyxc]

Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler say hello

PG's height gives him a better advantage than those two. Not saying they can't, but Paul is in a much better positions to guard all 5 positions than Jimmy or Kawhi. Do you see those two defending a guy like Andre Drummond? No, but PG has a better shot.

[Ettorefm]

George is just as good defensively as Leonard; not to mention his height helps him guard multiple positions

The difference is that George is the only one out of the three mentioned that can go for 30 on every given night. Leonard is getting there, but he still is a borderline 20 ppg player. This is his first season carrying the load; george is already an elite scorer

[The_Didact_117]

The 2014 FMVP and reigning DPOY might have a case over him tbh...

[-Sammy-]

I love that Leonard's in the conversation, but overall, PG's probably been the best two-way guy so far this season. I think Leonard is the better defender, but PG is killing it on the scoring, and he's dishing five dimes a game on top of it.

It seems like Kawhi's getting better with every game he plays, though, so this topic might need to be revisited in a month or two.

[thamadkant]

Best Two-Way player that has 2 first names in his name?

Lebron, Kawhi, Butler, Durant are all capable players both sides.

[SideshowBob]

What does "two-way" mean here exactly? I know this is just semantics, but I just don't understand the thought processes behind statements like this sometimes.

Steph Curry is a "one-way" player, but his offense is better than George's offense and defense combined, so technically he's a better "two-way" player because his offense+defense is better than George's offense+defense. On the same line of thinking, so is Westbrook, and Lebron, and Durant. So either that's not what Vogel means, or he's a little out of touch.

If its a balance thing, in the sense that George is just as good on defense as he is on offense, then aren't there role-players who do the same, just to a much lesser degree? A solid 3&D bench guy is obviously nowhere near as good as PG, but his offense/defense balance might be the same, if not more equal than George's (heck even Butler comes to mind). I suppose George might be the best among guys who are close to perfectly balanced on both ends (Leonard might be better).

I know I'm being nitpicky and Vogel was just making a complimentary statement after a great night by George, but this kind of stuff reflects on folks, so I feel like its at least worth acknowledging.

[Pickled Prunes]

Best Two-Way player that has 2 first names in his name?

Lebron, Kawhi, Butler, Durant are all capable players both sides.

Lebron James and Kawhi Leonard also have two first names so the debate is still out.

Can we agree that Russell Westbrook is the best 2-way player with two last names?

[GaaBaaBoo]

What does "two-way" mean here exactly? I know this is just semantics, but I just don't understand the thought processes behind statements like this sometimes.

Steph Curry is a "one-way" player, but his offense is better than George's offense and defense combined, so technically he's a better "two-way" player because his offense+defense is better than George's offense+defense. On the same line of thinking, so is Westbrook, and Lebron, and Durant. So either that's not what Vogel means, or he's a little out of touch.

If its a balance thing, in the sense that George is just as good on defense as he is on offense, then aren't there role-players who do the same, just to a much lesser degree? A solid 3&D bench guy is obviously nowhere near as good as PG, but his offense/defense balance might be the same, if not more equal than George's (heck even Butler comes to mind). I suppose George might be the best among guys who are close to perfectly balanced on both ends (Leonard might be better).

I know I'm being nitpicky and Vogel was just making a complimentary statement after a great night by George, but this kind of stuff reflects on folks, so I feel like its at least worth acknowledging.

No your argument is great man. I like the logical thinking out of it.

[br7knicks]

George is just as good defensively as Leonard; not to mention his height helps him guard multiple positions

The difference is that George is the only one out of the three mentioned that can go for 30 on every given night. Leonard is getting there, but he still is a borderline 20 ppg player. This is his first season carrying the load; george is already an elite scorer

jimmy butler is my favorite player, i love leonard, and like george, but this ^^^


best two-way. george isn't the best scorer in the league, nor is he the best defender.


but how do people how not understand that it's about taking both sides of the court and finding the best overall 2-way player? that's the point vogel was making.

[23artest23]

If PG isn't the best two way player, he is right there with the best. Regardless of who is best, a team can't really go wrong with guys like PG, Leonard, Butler, Winslow (he'll be there soon enough), AD, and so on.

I'd personally say PG is the best. He can guard the 1 thru 4 and depending on who the 5 is, could guard the C position as well. Consider that and what he can do on the offensive side (everything), I'd say he is just a hair above the rest. Can't go wrong with any of the top two way players though.