Ink on Indy
Fansided

Paul George ‘not thrilled’ with new role

By Scott Stewart

facebooktwitterreddit

Pacers star Paul George is reported to be ‘not thrilled’ with moving towards a new role as a Power Forward with the season edging closer to its beginning.

When Larry Bird and Frank Vogel addressed the media last season, they spoke first and foremost about being “smaller” and “faster.” What ensued was a series of personnel decisions that involved eventually losing David West and Roy Hibbert, but picking up players like Monta Ellis, Jordan Hill, and other players more fit for the system Bird and Vogel were laying out.

-=Related: Updated Pacers 2k Ratings=-

Overall, the newly dubbed #13 told the media that he was “uncomfortable” with the thought of playing at that spot for the entirety of the season, but that he was “open to the position” for the time being and that as camp progressed perhaps he would become more at ease.

Apr 12, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center

Steven Adams

(12) battles for a loose ball with Indiana Pacers forward

Paul George

(13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Case for Paul

To be fair, you can’t really fault the all-star for his thoughts. Paul George played a total of six games last season and is still not the same player he was prior to the leg fracture – but he never will be. Let me explain.

A sort of injury like that will always have an effect on a player’s career. Those effects may not be physical – they could be mental, emotional, etc. – but the effects will always be present. Right now Pacers fans hope to see the same high-flying, aggressive playmaker that they saw when Indy was pushing Miami to seven games in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. That, too, is fair. However, the bottom line is that an injury like the one George suffered is always going to have some effect on the player.

Back to the issue at hand, PG is still strengthening his leg, working to get back to new heights and maybe even further. His main concern at this point in time is whether or not it’s best for him to match up against guys with size for the entirety of the year. No question Paul George is on LeBron James home and away – he likes a challenge, especially when it has to do with a self-proclaimed king – but taking into account all 82 games it may not be the best decision.

In July, Larry Bird was adamant about not caring whether or not George wanted to play the Power Forward spot, and he was very clear. Now that his all-star has had his say on the matter, we’ll see if Bird changes his tune…

Next: Pacers announce dates for Hickory uniforms

More from Ink on Indy

Home/Indiana Pacers