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Series Preview: Nuggets vs. Clippers

By Rex Foster

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket on Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Staples Center on February 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket on Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Staples Center on February 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 25: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers dribbles the ball down court against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half in game five of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 25, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 25: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers dribbles the ball down court against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half in game five of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 25, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Playoff P?

Though George has had his fair share of struggles so far this postseason, it would simply be foolish to underestimate the value that he creates on both sides of the floor.

Placing too much focus into guarding Kawhi or Lou Will could easily open the door for last year’s MVP candidate. Yes, George has shot 27.5% from 3-point range in the playoffs thus far and didn’t provided dependable defense for the Clippers in their series against the Mavericks.

However, underestimating an All-NBA caliber player is never a smart decision. With Harris most likely being assigned to guard Williams in the second unit (or when he gets hot, Shamet) the only other option besides Millsap to defend George is Torrey Craig.

Though Craig heavily undeniably underperformed against the Jazz, counting the tough wing out is foolhardy. Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell flamed Craig last series, but Craig shut down Damian Lillard for a majority of Denver’s semifinals matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers last year.

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