Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Players Under Most Pressure To Win First Championship

By Maxwell Ogden

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react from the bench against Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react from the bench against Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) is congratulated by head coach Frank Vogel as he comes out of the game in the first half against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pacers 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) is congratulated by head coach Frank Vogel as he comes out of the game in the first half against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pacers 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Position: Small Forward
Age: 26 (5/2/1990)
Career Slash Line: .425/.364/.838
Career Season Averages: 32.2 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.9 3PM
Accolades: 3x All-NBA Third Team, 2014 All-Defensive First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, 3x All-Star, 2013 Most Improved Player

Paul George’s comeback story was one of the true gems of the 2015-16 NBA season. After missing a vast majority of the 2014-15 season due to injury, George averaged 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.6 3-point field goals made per game.

George also led the Indiana Pacers to a near upset of the No. 2 seed Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs.

That was enough to hold critics over, and rightfully so; George merely playing again is a testament to his work ethic. Now 26 years of age, however, he’ll begin to enter the territory of a player whose career is held to the standard of championship or bust.

Pacers team president Larry Bird has given George enough supporting firepower to make a run at the Conference Finals.

Getting past LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers is another task altogether, but George should be able to lead Indiana to the Conference Finals. Monta Ellis, Al Jefferson, C.J. Miles, Rodney Stuckey, Jeff Teague, Myles Turner, and Thaddeus Young make for quite the crew.

The good news for Pacers fans: George is only 26 years of age and he’s already led Indiana to two Conference Finals appearances.

Next: Ending The Curse