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Indiana Pacers: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pacers

By Phil Watson

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) is guarded by Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (15) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) is guarded by Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (15) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

100. <strong>How Acquired: </strong>10th overall pick from Fresno State, 2010 NBA Draft.. SF-SG. 2010-16. Paul George. 2. player

Paul George was an intriguing prospect coming out of Fresno State. A 6-foot-9 wing, George averaged 16.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore before opting to turn pro.

The Indiana Pacers took George with the 10th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and he was a second-team All-Rookie selection in 2010-11.

IND_02_GEORGE
IND_02_GEORGE /

His career took off from there. He was named Most Improved Player in 2012-13, earning All-Defensive and All-NBA honors as well as his first All-Star berth. He repeated as All-Defensive and All-NBA with an All-Star bid in 2013-14, finishing fifth in the NBA in steals.

Then disaster struck.

During a Team USA intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas, George came down awkwardly while trying to block a shot, coming down at a hideous angle against the basket stanchion and suffering a compound fracture in his right leg.

The injury kept George out for all but six games in 2014-15 and there were questions about his ability to make it all the way back.

He answered those questions emphatically with the best season to date of his career in 2015-16, averaging 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals in 34.8 minutes per game on .418/.371/.860 shooting.

He was once again an All-Star and added All-Defensive and All-NBA honors to the mix.

George has three years remaining on the five-year extension he signed in September 2013, with the 2018-19 season a player option.

In six seasons in Indiana, George has averaged 16.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals in 32.2 minutes per game, shooting .425/.364/.838.

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