Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]Ever wondered what it’s like to be a young, flourishing player in the NBA and already be considered the face and future of an entire franchise? I do on occasions. Fortunately for all fans everywhere that didn’t quite have what it takes to reach the professional level, we get to see this scenario play out right before our eyes almost every season.
So far, the 2012-2013 campaign has been Paul George’s coming-out party in regards to his growth and maturation as an all-around star player. The 22-year-old franchise cornerstone is in his third season with the Indiana Pacers and is just now starting to scratch the surface of the playmaker he may one day become.
George was a college star at Fresno State University before being drafted by the Pacers as the 10th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. He is the first player drafted in that class to be named to the All-Star team.
There were bigger and more hyped-up names that were chosen before him including John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe and Derrick Favors, and though these players are contributing for other teams in the NBA, none of them have the accolades or the upside that George has to his resume.
In his first season as a professional, George played in 61 games and started 19 of them. He played just over 20 minutes per night and averaged 7.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists. At this point in his career, he was a 20-year-old rookie trying to find his way in a league full of players who equaled or outmatched his own abilities.
Coming back in year two of his youthful career, he played and started all 66 games on the lockout-shortened season. He saw a spike in his minutes to near 30-a-night and experienced increases in almost every statistical category including points, rebounds, assists and three-point percentage.
He averaged 12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and shot over 38-percent from beyond-the-arc. This is exactly the kind of progression an organization likes to see out of a second-year, 6-9 swingman with enviable athleticism.
His third season has brought light to the massive amount of potential George possesses. Taking huge steps forward across the board, he now averages 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and four assists while shooting near 40-percent from the perimeter in 38 minutes a night.
He has started all 60 games the Pacers have played thus far. From last year to this one, he added 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in averages to his every-game contribution. That is a remarkable improvement and one which rivals any other seen in the NBA this year.
His statistics on offense are not gaudy, but they are more than enough to earn him some praise as an upcoming star to observe. He has been listed among Most Improved Player and Most Valuable Player candidates by multiple NBA or sports-affiliated sites.
His projections will be off the charts when this season concludes, based on the steps he has taken year-to-year this early on in his career. It is clear he has a good understanding of the game as a whole.
He knows how to create his own shot off the dribble or by moving without the ball. He has an instinctive knack for getting open. His style of play is fluent and lends itself nicely to taking advantage of what the defense gives him. He knows his role very well within the structure of this Pacers team.
Another aspect of his game a lot of analysts and fans like is the way he never shies away from taking the big shot when the game is on the line. Some are born with this skill while others are not.
To win a championship in today’s NBA, you must have at least one player you know you can trust with the ball in his hands when you are down by a couple and the clock is approaching zero. George is that player for Indiana this year and for many to come.
A little less talked about feature of George’s repertoire is his presence on defense. Standing at 6-9 definitely has its perks. Checking smaller players in match-ups and getting into passing lanes are two of them; not to mention reaching the NBA Finals will require taking down LeBron James in Miami.
However, George just so happens to be the closest thing the entire NBA can offer to someone actually “matching up” with the Heat forward. This may be his most unique asset and one that could prove him to be invaluable come playoff-time.
Another feather he can put in his hat is being named to the All-Star team as well as being a member of the three-point contest competition at such a young age. He had a nice showing in the All-Star Game, posting 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He also added three rebounds and four assists. He had an early exit in the three-point contest, though.
Part of becoming a bona-fide star in this league is not only about how well you play in the regular season and post-season, but also based on how well you do at special features (i.e. All-Star Weekend events or Team USA gatherings).
Like many other rising stars, his brand is being built day-by-day and appearing in such contests goes a long ways towards him gaining further recognition from the masses.
It would be wrong of me to neglect mentioning that George has a near-perfect cast of teammates surrounding him in Indiana. George Hill runs the point, Lance Stephenson mans the shooting guard position, George is the small forward and David West and Roy Hibbert comprise one of the best frontcourts in the Eastern Conference.
Their starting-five is admirable. They also have Danny Granger back along with Gerald Green and Tyler Hansbrough to provide some punch off the bench.
I firmly believe that the Pacers are capable of replacing the Heat to be the Eastern Conference representative in the NBA Finals this year. They are 2-0 against the Heat in their season-series, with their third meeting coming up this Sunday.
They have caused problems for Miami because of their size at all five starting positions. George will be very important to the Pacers run in the playoffs and I wouldn't say beating the Heat is incomprehensible.
This is a can’t-miss opportunity for George. Say the Pacers play up to their true capabilities and make it passed the first and second rounds of the Eastern Conference playoffs. That means they meet the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals and unseat them, advancing to the NBA Finals.
Even making it this far would put George’s name in the same sentence as the LeBron’s, Kevin Durant’s and Derrick Rose’s of today’s game because of how young and playoff-inexperienced he is.
If they win a championship this year or any in the near future, he will receive a good portion of the credit because he is the face of the team. The Pacers need to seize the opportunity while it is within their grasp and give George the chance to debut his talents on the biggest stage that basketball has to offer.
I believe George and the Pacers will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with ease, but will go no further than that as they will fall in a six-game, season-ending series to the Miami Heat.
George will shine brighter than ever having some outstanding performances and leave all Pacers fans eager for the 2013-2014 season to begin. The Pacers have a lot to be excited about and in my honest opinion, they are the only team capable of beating the Heat in the East.
