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Indiana Pacers: 5 Reasons For Optimism

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates with center Myles Turner (33) and guard Ty Lawson (10) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates with center Myles Turner (33) and guard Ty Lawson (10) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dunks against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dunks against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Paul George Is Back

On August 1, 2014, Paul George suffered what many believed was a career-threatening injury. A compound fracture isn’t exactly the sign of the end for an NBA player, but the traumatic nature of it was certain to shake George at his very core.

Less than two years later, George has established, without a shadow of a doubt, that he is back to being one of the best players in the NBA.

George excelled during the regular season—so much so that he’s expected to be selected to an All-NBA Team. He averaged 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.6 3-point field goals made per game, and led the Indiana Pacers to an unexpected postseason appearance.

In his first full season back from the gruesome injury, he set or matched career-best averages in points, assists, steals, and 3-point field goals made.

In the playoffs, George silenced his critics by averaging 27.3 points on a tremendously efficient slash line of .455/.419/.953. Beyond the numbers, he took over games for extended periods of time, and played lockdown defense on All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.

That’s right in line with his holding opponents to a field goal percentage that was 4.0 percentage points lower than their cumulative average during the 2015-16 regular season.

More hoops habit: Who will the Indiana Pacers target in the 2016 NBA Draft?

The season is over, and the offseason creates many doubts, but with the franchise player back and better than ever, the Pacers have a shining reason for optimism.

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