It might be too difficult to pinpoint exactly when it happened, maybe at the very beginning of the season breaking Reggie Miller's franchise record for threes in a game, maybe his first all-star game, maybe it didn't truly happen until the playoffs, but at some point during last season Paul George arrived. Although it was his third season it felt like it happened very fast. All of sudden he was the man on a team of already impressive abilities. While there was no denying George's talent it kind of felt like he was trying to keep up with the gift, happy to eschew the spotlight all while taking the pressure as the go to man. We all just watched as he continued to push what we could expect from him. But that was last year.
This season Paul George is clearly one of the most dominant forces in basketball on arguably the most imposing teams in basketball. This offseason the Pacers signed an extension to George's rookie contract making him their designated player, eligible for a five year max deal. Likewise, if George is able to meet the "Derrick Rose test" (be voted an all NBA team any level, make the all-star team, or be voted league MVP) he is set to make 30% of the team's salary cap rather than the standard 25% for max deals. While at least two of those are almost guaranteed to happen, all three are possibilities. While extension is already in place George is, in his own unique way playing in a contract year.
What the Pacers should feel good about is that at only age 23 Paul George seems completely ready and able to mantle the responsibility. Perhaps it was the contract extension itself or the dap from Lebron but Paul George has a new confidence that wasn't there last season. A player like this, at his age, embracing the role and carrying himself with that edge is really a miraculous thing to watch. He has said he can't see himself playing anywhere but Indiana (see previous USA Today spot) and with a menacing young core in Hibbert (Who is rushing for defensive player of the year this season), Lance Stephenson one of the league's funnest wildcards, George Hill and Danny Grainger (who was the team's leading scorer before his knee surgery) set to return in a few weeks and bolstered by fearless vet bigs David West and Luis Scola and some solid role players, Indiana looks as good as anyone for years to come.
The season already underway and Indiana remaining the leagues sole unbeaten team, they would seem like the smart choice for most likely to dethrone Miami. While both teams employ punishing defensive tactics, Indiana's size is something that no team can compete with, much less the small ball Heat. If anyone is wondering why the Heat wanted to take a risk on Greg Oden, besides the low risk contract, look no further than Indiana's front line. The Heat will try everything they can to stay competitive with this group of bruisers. The trend of small ball made sense but always seemed odd and the Indiana Pacers agree. Why not pack the paint with multiple large bodied, defensive minded enforcers?
While George has emerged as "the guy" on the Pacers, the one to take the big shots and bring the Hoosier state to it's feet, an elite offensive weapon capable of creating, his defensive ability should not be overlooked. George buys into his team's defense first mindset as one of the league's top perimeter defenders. Voted to the All Defensive second team last season and doing about as good a job as one can do guarding Lebron in the ECF, George has established he's not there to simply score the points. Last season George was the only player in the league to pull in 140 steals and 50 blocks.
Paul George has certainly arrived, there is no question. He is one of the top seven or eight players in the league on a strong team focused on the top with a championship mindset. But at George's young age the debate is no longer "is he great?" but simply "how great will he be?". As he will surely continue to improve over the coming years, surrounded by a strong core the ceiling is unseen at this point.
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