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Indiana Pacers: Paul George Leading An Explosive Offense

By Maxwell Ogden

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
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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Paul George believes the 2016-17 Indiana Pacers could average 115 points per game. Is there reason to believe George has made an accurate assessment?

In just one summer, team president Larry Bird has effectively changed the identity of the Indiana Pacers. Long known to be a defensive-minded organization that embodied the state’s blue collar reputation, Indiana has done a complete 180.

In 2016-17, Paul George, Nate McMillan and the Pacers project to be one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NBA.

Bird let head coach Frank Vogel walk after six exceptionally successful seasons. Vogel went 250-181 as head coach of the Pacers, leading the team to a 56-win season in 2013-14 and Eastern Conference Finals appearances in both 2013 and 2014.

When Bird announced the decision to part ways with Vogel, he cited a desire to become a more effective team on offense. Per NBA.com:

"“Well you guys know that I like to score more points than what we’re scoring. This year, our offensive efficiency rating is about the same as it was last year, 23rd this year, 24th last year. We went from 27th to 12th in fast breaks and I think that’s because we got more steals and Monta (Ellis) was out leading the break a lot. But yeah I’d like to score more points. Hopefully we can do that.”"

Bird took significant steps towards realizing his vision during the summer of 2016.

With George and Myles Turner locked in as franchise cornerstones, Bird recreated the Pacers’ roster. He most notably traded for point guard Jeff Teague and power forward Thaddeus Young, and signed center Al Jefferson.

Teague was an All-Star in 2015, Jefferson made the All-NBA Third Team in 2014, and Young is one of the more versatile forwards in the Association.

Indiana also added backup point guard Aaron Brooks and rookie forward Georges Niang, who fits Bird’s desire to embrace the small-ball movement. They further display the vision that Bird has for the Pacers.

Bird wants to push the pace with quick penetrating guards and stretch the floor with hybrid forwards who can shoot and facilitate from the 4.

The starting lineup projects to consist of Teague, Monta Ellis, George, Young, and Turner. Brooks, Jefferson, C.J. Miles, and Stuckey provide Indiana with four proven players coming off the bench.

With Indiana going nine quality players deep—and it could be 10 if Joe Young lives up to his potential—this all becomes a matter of execution.

The two men who will play the biggest role in Indiana’s offensive execution will be George and McMillan. George is a consensus Top 15 player who’s receiving deserved Top 10 hype, and McMillan is one of the better coaches in the Association.

According to Nate Taylor of The Indianapolis Star, George believes the new-look Pacers could easily average 115 points per game in 2016-17.

"“Everything was just free flow and we’re still trying to figure that out,” George said. “We’ve been so used to a set or calling of plays and now we’re getting that freedom. I think that’s going to take some time, but once we get it, we could easily be a 115-point team a night.”"

That number may be a little too high, but the Pacers certainly have the potential to be the best offensive team in the Eastern Conference.

For those unfamiliar, McMillan coached Ray Allen and the Seattle SuperSonics, and Brandon Roy and the Portland Trail Blazers before coming to Indiana. He accumulated a record of 478-452 and made five trips to the playoffs

Despite the overwhelming slew of injuries sustained by Portland’s top players, including Roy and Greg Oden, McMillan led it to three straight postseason appearances.

McMilan’s 2004-05 SuperSonics team was No. 5 in the NBA in offensive efficiency. Between 2008-09 and 2010-11, Portland ranked No. 2, No. 7, and No. 11 in offensive efficiency, and won at least 48 games in all three seasons.

McMillan, who was one-half of what may have been the best defensive backcourt in NBA history with Gary Payton, won’t let his team sacrifice defense for offense.

Indiana has a borderline superstar, an All-Star point guard, an All-NBA center, a rising star in Turner, and a number of crafty slashers. It has a disconcertingly low number of 3-point shooters, however, which could prove problematic.

Fortunately, George is confident and McMillan has quite the track record.

Must Read: How has Ben Simmons' injury impacted the Rookie of the Year discussion?

115 points per game will be tough to reach—the Golden State Warriors scored a league-best 114.9 in 2015-16—but George has the right idea.

Indiana is going to run, gun, space the floor, and provide one of the most exciting shows in the NBA.

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