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Indiana Pacers: Paul George’s Stat Prediction

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) reacts to scoring late in the game against the Golden State Warriors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State defeats Indiana 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) reacts to scoring late in the game against the Golden State Warriors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State defeats Indiana 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Last season, four notable NBA stars missed the majority of the season. This didn’t only keep the fans from watching their favorite players, but it caused their teams to fall short making the playoffs. These players were Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Indiana Pacers star Paul George.

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George’s injury couldn’t have happened at a worse time in his five-year career. He was just making a name for himself throughout the league as he pushed LeBron James and the Miami Heat to their limit in the playoffs during the 2012-2014 seasons. It was clear that George was punching his name to be in consideration of a top five player in the league, especially for the future.

In the 2013-14 season, George averaged a career-high of 21.7 points per game while also chipping in with 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Once the playoff series against the Heat began, all eyes were on how George would respond playing LeBron for the second consecutive year. George quickly put the league on notice that he was the next big thing when he blew past LeBron and threw a dunk on Chris Andersen‘s head.

Facing elimination, George finished Game 5 with 37 points, six rebounds, and six steals. The Pacers would ultimately lose the series to the Heat 4-2, but Pacer fans had plenty to look forward to as they began to build their team around their young superstar.

That summer, Pacer fans were able to see George in action earlier than usual as he was competing to make Team USA. On Aug. 1, Team USA holds an exhibition game where they split up players into two teams to televise nationally. Just 27 seconds into the fourth quarter, George rose up to block James Harden‘s lay up. As he came down, his leg buckled at the base of the basket stanchion, causing one of the most gruesome leg injuries NBA fans have seen. The entire area went silent. The players were stuck in shock of what just happened, some players were even crying.

George responded via Twitter shortly after the incident seeming to be optimistic:

Needless to say, the aura heading into next season changed in one instant. Now instead of being contenders in the Eastern Conference, the Pacers were hopeful just to make a playoff appearance. In mind-blowing fashion, George made his return with six games remaining in the regular season to help push his team passed Brooklyn for the eighth seed. It was enough for NBA fans around the world to just see George being able to walk, let alone come out and play.

In his first game, George put up 13 points in 15 minutes. For that 15 minutes, it was like the old Paul George. But in the last game of the season against Memphis, George re-injured his leg and could not return to the game. The Pacers ended up losing the game and playoff hopes, as they were beaten out of the eighth seed by Brooklyn. For the final six games, George averaged 8.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game.

George is now 100 percent healthy from the injury and is heading into next season with intentions of returning to his dominant form.

Let’s take a look at what to expect from Paul George this upcoming season.

Next: Offensive Production

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