Fresno State forward Paul George is quickly
moving up in the NBA Draft.
(Photo by Sherron Shabazz)
One of the fastest risers in the 2010 NBA Draft is Fresno State small forward Paul George. George is an athletic wing player from a small school who was projected to be a mid-first round pick.
After a stellar workout with the Chicago Bulls, George is generating a lot of interest throughout the league. The 2010 NBA Draft's best kept secret is no longer a secret. The 6'8 George is now expected by many to be a Lottery pick on Draft day.
I spoke with Paul George at last week's NBA Draft combine and I was surprised by his level of swag. George spoke with the confidence of a 10-year NBA vet.
SS: A lot of Bulls fans are upset that you're climbing up in the Draft. They want you on the team and you're slipping away. Talk about what it was like working out for the Bulls.
Paul George: I enjoyed the workout with the Bulls and I enjoyed the staff. It's a lot of tradition here obviously. I'd feel good being in this system and being on the roster with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Any time you have a good point guard and a good big you're destined to do something great. I feel like if I came in I could definitely help them out and help win some games.
SS: How would you describe your workouts?
Paul George: The workouts have been good. I got the chance to play against Xavier Henry, James Anderson, and Dominique Jones. Those are all pretty good guards so getting the chance to play against them and kind of show off my capabilities is what I really wanted to do. I felt like I got the chance to do that.
SS: Out of all of those guys who was the toughest one to guard?
Paul George: I didn't get the chance to guard James like I wanted to because we were on teams. Me and Xavier were matched up and I kind of got the best of him. I tried to get in to him and do as much as I can because he is a great player. I really just wanted to run him off shots and not let him get comfortable. If you let him get comfortable it could be a long day.
SS: Describe your strengths and weaknesses.
Paul George: Strengths are versatility--just being versatile and being able to do it all on the floor. I feel like that's something I can do. A weakness is probably just learning the game a little bit more, decision making too because I ultimately want to get my assists up and turnovers down.
SS: What current NBA player would you compare your game to?
Paul George: I would say I'm more of a Rudy Gay, Joe Johnson, or Josh Howard--those types of players. I see them as just bigger guards who can do so much on the floor. They're really not limited to just one position.
SS: What made you decide to leave Fresno State after your sophomore year?
Paul George: I just felt like it was my time to go. I felt like I couldn't learn anymore being in college. I felt like my learning curve was ready to go up jumping into the NBA.
SS: What's the best advice you've ever gotten?
Paul George: Just to stay focused. I was told to stay focused. This ride will get a little bumpy, tough, and hard but if you keep God first everything will be alright.
SS: Do you have a preference on what team you go to?
Paul George: Not at all.
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