Also, him fizzling for the Clips is overrated. He was better than Kawhi in the Denver series. It's amazing how a narrative sets in about George being bad in the playoffs and Kawhi being "clutch" when the data definitely doesn't support it. Kawhi isn't particularly good in the playoffs and George isn't particularly bad.
What is amazing to me is that people can make claims about data supporting something...and then not showing any of that data.
In the aforementioned Denver series, Kawhi averaged 24-8-6, shot 44/35/87 and committed 18 turnovers and 12 fouls.
In the Denver series, Paul George averaged 21-5-3, shot 43/38/87 and committed 24 turnovers and 25 fouls.
So George shot the three ball slightly better from three, but Kawhi was clearly the better player, if we factor in defense as a relative wash (which it wasn't, Kawhi was better). Kawhi scored more points, grabbed more rebounds, and had twice as many assists. He committed less turnovers and far fewer fouls. The advanced numbers in that series tell a similar story, Kawhi has a higher usage rate, a better offensive and defensive rating. Perhaps you have a point that Kawhi did not play particularly amazing in that series, and that George wasn't THAT bad, but I think it's pretty obvious that Kawhi was the superior player in that series.
If we bump the numbers to the entire playoffs to include the Dallas series; Kawhi dwarfs George.
Kawhi: 39 minutes per game, 28-9-5, 48/32/86.
George: 36 minutes per game, 20-6-4, 39/33/90.
So Kawhi was clearly better in the playoffs last year than George, and isn't particularly close. Even if you factor in the below-average Denver series, Kawhi still put up excellent numbers in the playoffs.
Saying that two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard "isn't particularly good in the playoffs" is certainly a take.
Over the last five seasons, Kawhi has played in 66 playoff games. During that time span he has averaged 27-8-4 and shot 50/39/87. So MVP-level counting stats, as well as close to 50/40/90 efficiency, and also a generational-defining defensive force. He is only a year removed from leading a team to a championship, and when it is all said in done, Kawhi will likely go down as one of the very best playoff performers of the 21st century, and he will deserve that accolade.
Paul George has not been bad in the playoffs; over the last 5 seasons he has played in 35 playoff games, and has averaged 24-7-4 and shot 41/36/89. So he is fairly close on counting stats, although Kawhi is clearly more efficient; and Kawhi would have to get the edge on defense even though George has been very solid. George is a very good player; but 30 year old Paul George isn't worth a $225 million contract.