Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: Top 20 Players at Midway Point

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots the ball while Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) defends in the first quarter of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots the ball while Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) defends in the first quarter of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Last Rank: No. 12

Position: Forward

Age: 25

Slash Line: .412/.378/.851

Season Averages: 35.5 MPG, 23.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 2.9 3PM

Paul George began the 2015-16 NBA regular season on a torrid pace. He averaged 29.5 points on a slash line of .475/.490/.847 over the course of 13 November games, thus setting the stage for a potential run at MVP.

Between December and an incomplete January, George is averaging 21.6 points on a slash line of .382/.338/.852 in 26 games played.

George’s decline is a troubling sign for an Indiana Pacers team that’s depending heavily on its star forward. He’s displayed some measure of efficiency in recent games, but those have been outings during which he limits his field goal attempts.

One can’t help but wonder if George can shoulder the load as the featured scoring option in Indiana.

George opened the week with 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting, but recovered well for the following two games. He had 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting in a loss to the Denver Nuggets, and 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals on 5-of-12 shooting during a road win over the Phoenix Suns.

That has George back at 40.0 percent shooting for the month, which is a step in the right direction.

Next: The Thriving Survival