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Paul George Finally Admits Damian Lillard’s Game-Winning Three In 2019 Playoffs Was A “Good Shot”

In the 2019 Playoffs, Damian Lillard hit a 37-foot buzzer-beater three to send the Oklahoma City Thunder home. Lillard, while being heavily guarded by Paul George, sidestepped, and scored one of the most iconic and memorable shots, in recent NBA history. It will forever be spoken about as the “end of the Thunder”, and the ripple effect, that led the Thunder to go from championship contenders, to rebuilders. The ensuing offseason, they traded away their franchise players in Paul George, and Russell Westbrook.

During the course of that season, Paul George averaged a career-high 28 points, and finished top three in MVP voting. Therefore, when Dame hit the dagger three, and the underdog Trailblazers advanced to the second round, it sent shockwaves around the league, and to the Thunder players.

After the game, when the players were meeting the media for their post-playoff elimination interviews, George told reporters:

“I don’t care what anybody says, that’s a bad shot. But hey, he made it. That story won’t be told, that is was a bad shot. You live with that”. 

Well, two years later, George and Lillard are now teammates during the All-Star Game. Paul was asked about being teammates with guys like Curry and Damian, and how the league is different and transforming.

George acknowledged that he was wrong about his comments in 2019 and said:

“Well I guess I was criticized for the right reason for calling Dame’s shot in the playoffs a bad shot. I mean, I see this guy’s range is crazy… It’s a great shot. Two thumbs up”.

Respect to Paul George for accepting his mistakes, and good on him for making things right. It was an amazing shot, that is engraved in NBA playoffs history forever.