Paul George names the toughest NBA player to score on
Since entering the league in 2010, Paul George has been defended by the likes of prime 2013 LeBron James , Tony Allen, and even his Clippers teammate, Kawhi Leonard, but none of those players bothered him as much as Jrue Holiday.
On the latest "Podcast P," George spoke on the Celtics guard's ability to put the clamps on the game's best scorers, himself included.
"Toughest player to score on? Probably Jrue," responded. "Jrue got locks. He got locks. He's strong as [expletive] and he's quick. And he loves to play defense — that is the worst trait [when] you can have to go up against somebody. He just loves to play defense. Those are always the toughest matchups for me when guys are super shorter than me.
"His anticipation, instincts… he knows your tendencies. He's like a cerebral defender."
Many consider Holiday's steal in the 2021 NBA Finals one of the greatest defensive plays of the last decade — up there with LeBron James' block in the 2016 Finals.
Holiday could further his reputation as a big-moment performer by helping the Celtics raise banner No. 18 in June. Even if the oddsmakers are proven right and Boston goes the distance, Holiday wouldn't have much time to celebrate. Per several reports, he's expected to join Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics in late July.
As for George, unless his Clippers face the Celtics in the NBA Finals in June, he wouldn't have to worry about being guarded Holiday for the foreseeable future. The Celtics and Clippers split their regular season series 1-1 with George's team winning the last encounter on Jan. 27.
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