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Pacers Media Day Recap – Paul George Aims High

By Scott Stewart

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The Indiana Pacers today hosted the annual Media Day, giving both those in attendance and fans around the league a glimpse at what this year will be like.

After all of Indiana’s offseason activity, fans are both anxious and excited about the 2015 season especially with Paul George’s comments at Media Day today. In order, media got to hear from Frank Vogel, Paul George, George Hill, Monta Ellis, and Larry Bird.

-=Related: Paul George ‘not thrilled’ with Power Forward role=-

Vogel spoke on a number of different topics, including basics of the offense and defense, his new guys Myles Turner, Chase Budinger, and more, and even Paul George at the Power Forward spot.

Vogel also added that Paul George is “100% healthy” and that he doesn’t expect to rest his All-Star even with the minutes at Power Forward. The Pacers head coach also mentioned the phrase “position-less basketball,” saying that the league is moving forward towards it and that George will “really, really like” moving up a spot.

Next up to the podium, the man himself Paul George. The superstar had a number of interesting things to say, including his goal of MVP, Indiana’s shot at a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference, and yes, him playing up to a bigger size.

Overall, George came off as confident in his teammates but still slightly unsure of the process – and who can blame him? Despite the other personnel on the floor, we’re still looking at George backing up against Zach Randolph-esque bodies from time-to-time and even David West thinks George won’t be playing the role consistently, or so he told Spurs media.

Next up, new blonde George Hill.

For the most part, Hill highlighted his need to be aggressive. He emphasized that when he is aggressive the team is better, and his numbers from last year more than back that up. Still, the biggest highlight for him was generating comparisons with Sisqo.

I mean, wowza.

The last Pacer to take the stand was new man Monta Ellis. He spoke a lot about defense and that even superstars are backed up by great team defense. Ellis said that he tends to adapt to a team’s style once arriving and that he’s surrounded by a group of guys that want to win.

Last but not least, Larry Bird hopped up to the podium after the team photo shoot. One thing to admire about Bird is how brunt he is – never afraid to dole out criticism or praise when he feels it is warranted. Today, Myles Turner got more praise:

And though maybe not criticism, again Paul George got the bluntness:

It’s not necessarily a problem that Bird and George aren’t always on the same page, but it’s also not great to be reading constant comments from the Team President on how his best player has to play. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but it’s still not thrilling.

Regardless, the Pacers start up training camp this week and the Pelicans are in town to open the preseason slate of games on Saturday October 3rd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Next: Pacers announce dates for Hickory Uniforms

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