Indiana Pacers Close To Being True Contenders

Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and forward Paul George (13) wait to be introduced before the game against the Toronto Raptors in game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jul 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA forward Paul George (13) signals against Argentina during a basketball exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena. USA won 111-74. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

The Superstar Presence

Whether fair or foul, teams don’t sustainably win at a high level without a superstar-caliber talent on the roster. There are exceptions, but even those teams had a player who found a way to genuinely dominate on one end or another.

That’s exactly what makes the new-look Indiana Pacers so intriguing: Larry Bird already has his superstar.

At 26 years of age, George is already a three-time All-NBA Third Team honoree. He’s also a three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive Team selection, and has the 2013 Most Improved Player award to round out his resume.

If that doesn’t do it for you, then try the fact that George has already led the Pacers to a No. 1 seed and two Conference Finals appearances.

George is a lockdown on-ball defender, an excellent rebounder, an improved facilitator, and a reliable scoring threat. This past season, he averaged 23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, and made 210 3-point field goals.

Most impressively, the Pacers’ two-way superstar averaged 27.3 points per game as the overmatched Pacers took the No. 2 seed Toronto Raptors to seven games in the 2016 NBA Playoffs.

As an elite defensive player and a Top 10 scorer, George’s postseason success pushes him right into superstar territory.

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