Patrick Beverley, never one to hold back his opinions, dropped a bombshell on a recent episode of The Pat Bev Podcast that has the NBA world buzzing. The former Clippers guard didn’t mince words when he suggested that the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty could have reached even greater heights if Paul George, not Klay Thompson, had been Stephen Curry’s running mate. It’s a bold claim, one that challenges the legacy of one of the most iconic backcourts in NBA history—the Splash Brothers.
“Put Paul George in that role as Klay Thompson, playing with Steph, Draymond Green, Iguodala at a point,” Beverley said. “We know Paul George was, a couple years ago, in the MVP race. If you substitute them two, I think Golden State probably wins more championships.”
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Beverley’s take is a direct jab at the Warriors’ championship formula, which leaned heavily on Thompson’s elite shooting and off-ball movement to complement Curry’s gravity-defying playstyle. Klay, a four-time champion and one of the greatest shooters ever, was the perfect puzzle piece for Golden State’s motion offense. His ability to sprint off screens, catch fire from deep, and lock down opposing guards made him indispensable. But Beverley’s argument hinges on George’s two-way versatility and playmaking, which he believes could have elevated the Warriors to an even more dominant level.
Would Paul George have thrived in Golden State’s system? It’s a tantalizing what-if. PG-13’s ability to create his own shot, defend multiple positions, and handle the ball could have added a new dimension to the Warriors’ attack. Unlike Thompson, who primarily operates off the ball, George’s skill set as a primary scorer and facilitator might have alleviated some of Curry’s offensive burden. Imagine a lineup where Curry’s off-ball wizardry pairs with George’s ability to attack mismatches or run pick-and-rolls with Draymond Green. Beverley seems convinced it’s a recipe for more rings.
However, not everyone agrees. Back in 2024, when rumors swirled about George potentially replacing Thompson in Golden State, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was quick to pour cold water on the idea. “I just don’t view him as a catch-and-shoot guy,” Smith said. “He has the potential to disrupt their rhythm. He’s better suited for the Clippers, Philadelphia, or even the New York Knicks, rather than Golden State.”
Smith’s skepticism raises a valid point. The Warriors’ system thrives on seamless ball movement and off-ball synergy, something Thompson mastered alongside Curry. George, a ball-dominant star accustomed to creating his own offense, might have struggled to adapt to Golden State’s read-and-react style. His fit in Philadelphia, where he now plays, seems more natural, as the Sixers value his ability to operate in isolation and make plays in crunch time.
Still, Beverley’s provocative take forces us to reconsider what could have been. At his peak, Paul George was a perennial All-NBA talent, blending elite scoring, playmaking, and defense. Pairing him with Curry during Golden State’s dynasty years might have created matchup nightmares for opponents, potentially pushing the Warriors beyond their four titles. But with George now in the later stages of his career and Thompson having moved on to Dallas, the PG-13/Steph Curry experiment seems destined to remain a fantasy.