‘Funny’ shooting is no joke for George
Paul George didn’t say it was because of his right forearm. There’s no telling if he’s in an L.A.-state of mind. But something is off with George’s shooting not even he claims he can pinpoint.
“Yeah. It’s … I’ve got to figure it out,” George said after the Thunder’s 111-107 loss to the Warriors on Tuesday. “There’s something mechanical with my shot.”
For the sake of the Thunder, George would benefit from finding the right mechanics with three games to go in the regular season and less than two weeks until the start of the playoffs.
For all of the clamor about Carmelo Anthony’s inefficient shooting this season, he’s been nearly 10 percentage points better from 3-point range than George since the All-Star break. George is shooting 28.9 percent from 3-point range in his last 20 games, 10th on the Thunder. Anthony is shooting 38.4 percent from 3.
George has struggled but never like this.
“I’ve had struggles throughout the season and in my career, but it’s all just been not making shots that night,” he said Tuesday. “I don’t know what it is. It just feels funny. Shooting the ball feels funny. So, I’ll work with our trainers, try to figure that out. I don’t feel myself shooting the ball great.”
George’s off shooting and the Thunder’s still inconsistent offensive flow aren’t doing anything to quiet talk about his impending free agency in July. This summer, George can opt out of the final year of his contract, set at $20.7 million for 2018-19. Prior to arriving in Oklahoma City via trade last summer, George’s agent, Aaron Mintz, reportedly told Indiana that George’s preferred destination was Los Angeles.
Logically, no correlation should be drawn between George’s numbers dip since the All-Star break in Los Angeles. Despite his shooting slump, he’s continued to put in the effort required for an All-NBA Defensive team caliber campaign. Those outside the Thunder locker room have tried to read the tea leaves of George’s mood as downtrodden or disinterested in interviews since he went home to L.A. in mid-February. Those inside the organization feel George is fine.
Outside interpretations on where George’s head is at can reveal just as much about the fear of losing the four-time All-Star via Kevin Durant déjà vu as George’s actual feelings on his future in Oklahoma City. George has battled right forearm soreness all season he claims he can’t figure out. Shooting 37.1 percent from the field overall in a 20-game span could also have an effect on one’s psyche and demeanor. There’s no answer, even if George gives one. It’s all under question until July 1.
What’s indisputable is the Thunder has underperformed, with no control of its seeding with three games remaining. Also indisputable: OKC’s chances of getting out of the first round rely heavily on George’s performance and whether or not he can find his pre-All-Star shooting form.
“I’m not pressing,” George said. “I know what I can do in this league.
“More than anything, it’s just frustrating not to be able to kinda carry your own weight and help in those moments.”