By Steve DelVecchio
LeBron James is not the best player in the NBA. Only one man can hold that title, and that man is Paul George — according to Paul George, of course.
Paul appeared in just six games toward the end of last season after a horrific broken leg cost him most of the year. Despite that, the 25-year-old is confident he can come back better than ever this season.
“Honestly, I feel like I’m better than the Paul George I was (before),” George recently told Sam Amick of USA Today Sports. “I do understand that I’m coming back as a fresh new player, with a new team, but I’m not limiting myself. I still have the aspiration of being the MVP, still have the aspiration of being one of the best defenders, one of the best scorers in the league. All of that is still there. But now I just feel like I’m much … wiser. I’m a better ballhandler, a better playmaker. I just feel like everything is just enhanced having a year out from the game.”
George recently expressed skepticism over the Pacers’ plan to play him at power forward this year, but getting away from his comfort zone is apparently not a major concern. When asked who the best player in the NBA is at the moment, George wasn’t shy.
“Myself,” he said. “I honestly feel that this is my time to prove it. There’s always going to be people’s opinions. There’s always going to be people thinking otherwise. But this is my time to prove it, and I’m ready. I’m ready to show the world.”
There’s no question George is one of the better players in the NBA when healthy, and the Pacers have to like the confidence. If you see the video of the leg injury he suffered while playing for USA Basketball, it will make you question whether George will ever be the same player again. It’s a good sign that he doesn’t seem concerned.
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