Is Kyshawn George Having Growing Pains with New Role?

Kyshawn George has been given more opportunities in his second year to grow as a player and has not disappointed. He has taken major leaps across the board in points, percentages, rebounds, assists, and defensive stats.

With that, so are his fouls and turnovers. Even though he is becoming an outstanding offensive player and taking the responsibility to guard opposing top players, it might be too much for the 21-year-old product so far.

Fouls and Turnovers

As of Dec. 2nd, he is averaging 3.4 turnovers (1.4 in his rookie year) per game, which ranks 15th in the league. He has 57 turnovers total on the season (15th in the league). He is also averaging 4.4 fouls per game, which ranks second in the league and his total of 72 ranks fourth. With the added responsibilities as a ball handler, turnovers will go up. He is averaging 4.8 assists, an improvement from his 2.5 last season. The fouls can be a result of multiple things, inexperience with guarding at an NBA level, fatigue from the added responsibilities.

The Good Stuff

With all the good stuff that George has added to his game this season, he is looking more like the future star for this young Wizards team. The defense is still growing as well as the offensive game. He has shown more confidence with his shot, shooting it off the dribble, coming off screens, attacking closeouts, even taking at players’ chests and knocking them down:

https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1994573731159535851?s=61

Expect the fouls and turnovers to go down as he gets more reps under him as a primary playmaker and point of attack defender. The more experience he gets, the better he will become on both ends.

George can benefit from a point guard being added to the roster. That can help to free up some of the ball handling duties. With a guard who can create for the team, George can come off more off the ball actions. More pin-downs, dribble-handoffs and spot-ups. This will help to preserve his energy. Bilal Coulibaly can take more of the defensive duties. With Coulibaly, George won’t have to guard top players all the time.

George has already surpassed his averages from last season. He should be in the running for the Most Improved Player of the Year award.

One thing is clear: George has arrived.