Why the new NBA generation loves Paul George. Plus, is Steph Curry the last one-team star?

By Jason Jonesand Shams CharaniaSep 5, 2024

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The Bounce Newsletter  | This is The Athletic’sdaily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox.

I’m back!!! While Zach Harper travels the world, I’m filling in, doing something I didn’t have on my bingo card for the month.

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Who’s Your GOAT?

The new generation loves Paul George

I’m giving Paul George his props. Yes, it’s hard not to have some fun at George’s expense, especially in a social media world where he’s provided plenty of fodder for memes about postseason shortcomings.

But I like what George has recently done with his podcast. He is speaking up for previous generations, not allowing the up-and-coming stars to dismiss what those who paved the way did. There has been a newer generation of players who see George in a very positive light, bestowing GOAT status on the nine-time All-Star.

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GOAT discussions are personal. They’re often tied to childhood memories, moments or some kind of irrational fandom. You can’t tell me Magic Johnson isn’t the GOAT. I know what Michael Jordan did. I watched Shaq dominate like no other and Kobe be Kobe. But none of that matters to nine-year-old me watching Magic win back-to-back titles.

But I’m also a hypocrite. I giggled when Brandon Miller, the second overall pick in 2023, declared George was his GOAT. Playoff P, man? Come on? Really? Not LeBron James? Not Steph Curry? Kevin Durant?

Miller was eight years old when a then-22-year-old George posterized Chris Anderson during the 2013 playoffs while leading the Pacers to the conference finals. Miller’s GOAT respect makes a bit more sense now – my bad, Brandon.

My gripe isn’t about whether George is a great player. He’s had a Hall of Fame career and will likely finish his career among the top 25 in all-time scoring. The newly signed 76er has six All-NBA selections and was a finalist for MVP in 2018-19 (third). But there are levels to GOAT conversations, and George’s name isn’t one that comes up in the same discussions as LeBron, KD or Steph.

But not being GOAT-esque doesn’t mean George isn’t self-aware. He’s using his status as one of the game’s most respected players to push back against Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards’ saying Jordan “was the only one that really had skill” during his playing days.

That’s, of course, far from true. Johnson and Isiah Thomas rebuked the young Timberwolves star, but it’s different when an active star offers correction. On his podcast, George thought Edwards’ take was “kind of disrespectful” and “immature.” Although George’s GOAT status is limited, young players do respect him, so his perspective holds value. (That’s not the only form of disrespect he’s spoken on this summer.)

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George also cuts through family ties. Kiyan Anthony, one of the country’s top high school players, said earlier this year that George was his GOAT. Of course, Anthony’s dad is some guy named Carmelo Anthony, who currently ranks 10th in all-time NBA scoring. George and Carmelo were also teammates in Oklahoma City for a time, so I get that too.

George has long been considered one of the best in the game. Someone who can impact games on offense and defense.

So, why do many of us pause at the notion of inserting him into the GOAT chats? It’s all about the postseason. George deeming himself Playoff P. Neither does his 2-of-16 clunker in Game 6 of the first round against Utah in 2018, which sent the Thunder home in six.

The next year, George had 36 points in a Game 5 loss to Portland that sent the Thunder home in the first round again. But that gets lost because George was also the defender on Damian Lillard’s 3-pointer from 37 feet that eliminated the Thunder at the buzzer. George was really good, but Lillard had 50 points.

And let’s not forget the LA Clippers blowing a 3-1 lead on Denver in the Bubble in 2020 and George infamously hitting the side of the backboard on a shot in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets pulled away in Game 7.

Sometimes, the jokes write themselves. George dressed as Where’s Waldo last Halloween, making it too easy for the “Where’s Playoff P?” jokes to fly in the postseason.  While the Playoff P nickname became a punchline, George’s actual game isn’t.

He’s been one of the game’s best players over the last decade and overcame a terrible injury when he broke his leg in 2014 while playing for Team USA in an exhibition game. Though his resume pales in comparison to the GOATs of the game, it’s good to see George get his flowers and protect the contributions of prior legends.

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The Latest From Shams

McClung, Horton-Tucker land deals

A couple of transactions to take note of as the countdown to training camp continues:

Mac McClung, the back-to-back NBA All-Star Weekend slam dunk contest champion and the 2024 G League MVP, has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Magic, league sources tell me. The 25-year-old guard went to camp with the Magic last season and will again compete for a roster spot. He averaged a league-leading 25.7 points per game en route to that MVP honor.

Talen Horton-Tucker has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Bulls, league sources tell me. The 23-year-old Chicago native averaged 10.5 points per game the past two seasons with the Jazz and will have an opportunity to make the Bulls’ roster.

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Let the Gaming Begin

NBA 2K25 approaches

Training camps don’t open until Oct. 4, but it’s already time for gamers to start practicing.

NBA 2K25 becomes available to the public on Friday. I’m unsure how I’ll mix this in with my College Football 25 and Madden 25, but it’ll get figured out. Who needs sleep when I’m trying to end Curry’s run of dominance over the NBA?

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Playing in the Steph Era is one of the new additions to NBA 2K25. It gives you the opportunity to prevent Golden State from winning the 2016-17 NBA title, allowing you to face the Warriors with prime Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Maybe the Cavaliers can stop the Warriors this time, depending on how often you must restart the challenge.

Some of the fun parts of the game are in the details. Signature shots with the Pro Stick add nuance to each player. Details have been added to how players dribble and play defense, too.

And, as you create your own player and try to build a dynasty, you can climb up the dynasty rankings and attempt to displace Jordan’s Bulls. Maybe this is the best way to see whether Jordan’s 72-win Bulls would beat Curry’s 73-win Warriors.

Fun times are ahead, fellow gamers!

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Solo Superstar

Can Steph do it all by himself?

Curry signed a one-year extension last week for $62.6 million. He could have waited until next year for an extension and secured another year of guaranteed money (this extension keeps Curry with Golden State for the next three seasons), but he’s betting on himself and the belief the Warriors can find him help for one more championship push.

The path to adding a second star, which seems to be necessary in today’s league, isn’t easy. Teams often need to draft one, but the Warriors haven’t done that. Their three lottery picks in recent years — James Wiseman (2020), Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody (latter two both taken in 2021) — haven’t produced a star.

Having Draymond Green available (healthy and not suspended) would be a boost to Curry’s chances, but likely not enough to put the Warriors in title contention. Andrew Wiggins reverting back to his 2022 form and some of the young players taking leaps could help, but we’ll see.

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But don’t get it twisted. This is about Curry. Him being the superstar of superstars is Golden State’s only chance. By the end of the deal, Curry would’ve spent 18 seasons as a Warrior, which would tie Reggie Miller for the fifth-most by one player with a single NBA team. Could this deal make Curry the last star to spend their career with one squad?

Free agency and player movement are more active than ever, making it more impressive for Curry to have so much success in one place. Since being drafted seventh overall by Golden State in 2009, Curry has led the Warriors to the NBA’s third-best record (.591 win percentage, first in West), won four rings, led six finals appearances, become the NBA’s first unanimous MVP in 2016 and shattered Ray Allen’s record for 3-pointers.

It remains to be seen whether the Warriors can make another playoff run, let alone compete for another ring before Curry retires, but few fan bases have been more blessed by a star’s presence than the Warriors with the best shooter to ever live.

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Bounce Passes

Mike Vorkunov wrote about New York City becoming a hotbed for NBA talent again.

Read about how Willie Cauley-Stein finding healing in Kentucky.

Most-clicked in Tuesday’s newsletter: The people loved news of Curry’s new contract extension.

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