El Paul George?

[Guzman_9]

Has anyone else noticed that George seems hesistant to drive to the rim? He should be playing SF but he sits at the three. If he does drive he kicks it out and 85% it turns into a turnover.

Any ideas why he lacks a driving game?

[Miller4ever]

He lacks ballhandling. Even if he doesn't kick it out it tends to become a broken dribble or a turnover. It's a combination of him getting used to his body and the team not putting it in the gameplan.

[Reginald Wayne]

^ I don't buy that.

These guys play bball their entire lives. There is no reason he shouldn't be able to handle the ball. If you don't have it by now you never will.

[Guzman_9]

yea thats why i kinda question george cuz he doesnt play like a SF even when Granger is out.

[FreeRon]

They do play basketball all their lives. With guys that are at or near their experience. Then they go to the NBA and play against guys who have been in the league for 15 years and know all the tricks. If we were talking about a point guard I'd agree that they're not going to really develop a handle, but it's possible it's just something he's never had to work on very much because it's not a huge part of his game.

[Indy2thaWindy]

Paul can handle the ball, not at some advanced level yet, but the foundation is there. (My big words exercise)

Danny can't or never could handle the ball like Paul can right now. He needs to work on his handling still. It doesn't just come to you like passing. It's mostly about timing, hand and foot speed, and explosiveness. He has all that. All he has to do is work at it.

[Foshan]

As an outside observer (please don't shoot, i come in peace ) I like Paul George. He's had a generally good 3pt shooting year, I'm wondering if he's becoming content shooting rather than taking it aggressively to the basket? A guy falling in love with his jumper is not a new phenomenon.

Also, I really don't buy the "his handles will get better" argument. To use a Philly example (sorry its where i live ) We have a guy in Thad Young who is a crazy hard worker with a killer 1st step. Came into the league as a tweener SF/PF, and the thinking was, when he improves his overall handle, he'll be an amazing wing. But quite frankly for all the work he's put in, every aspect of his game has improved except his ball handling skills. And i think that holds true for most guys who come into the league without elite ball handling skills, they just don't improve that much.

I think that's what brings George down from the potential 'superstar' that people would like to see him be, to the Granger-Iggy-Ellis-Martin lvl of 2nd tier guys who might squeek into an All-star game once or twice in their career but not take a team over the top without significant help.

[Scoot McGroot]

Keep in mind that Jeff Foster was a PG in high school at one point. Players definitely change skills throughout their lifetime.

[Boneman2]

PG definitely has ball handling capabilities, and he can pass too. I've heard Quinn Buckner remark several times about his court vision. Just like any other young player PG is not fully developed yet, as evidenced by him growing another 2" in the offseason. Once he adds strength to the equation, he will not get knocked off his dribble so easily, and it will help him get to the rim much more effectively.

T-Mac was nothing special until he buffed up.

[JeffFosters]

A guy falling in love with his jumper is not a new phenomenon.

I think his shooting ability from the perimeter has influenced the game plan. My feeling is that Vogel wants him at the 3 for the kick out. Especially with the starting five, he's the only real option for that role because defenses never sag off DG. PG taking 3's is more a result of him taking what defenses give him, rather than staying away from driving.